Romans 5:8-11. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The greatest blessing anyone can receive in their entire life—and for all eternity—is to meet Jesus at Calvary. The cross of Jesus changes everything. It turns death into life, darkness into light, flesh into spirit, wrath into salvation, hell into heaven, religion into faith, law into grace, children of the devil into children of God, enemies of God into friends of God. It transforms sinners into the righteous, the accused into the justified, the condemned into the forgiven, the lost into the found, the powerless into the powerful, the ungodly into the godly, the worthless into the significant, the wounded into the healed, the useless into the useful, shame into glory, suffering into hope, pride into humble boasting in God, and wanderers into bold witnesses. This is the message of the cross. This is the gospel.
We were utterly powerless and hopeless in our sinful state, completely separated from God, under the rule of Satan, and bound by sin and death. There was absolutely nothing we could do to save ourselves. Our efforts, moral living, and good deeds could never reconcile us to God. In fact, our own attempts at righteousness only brought deeper frustration, despair, and suffering. We needed a Savior.
Driven by His unconditional, relentless love, God sent His Son to restore us. He put us before His own beloved Son. Though we were sinners and enemies, God loved us first and gave up His Son on our behalf. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God. By crucifying Jesus, God paid the full price for our redemption through His blood and delivered us from the law of sin and death. In doing so, He destroyed the power of Satan that had gripped humanity for generations.
Therefore, declare your freedom in Christ. When you fall, do not stay down. Get back up—not in your strength, but by leaning on the power of the blood of the Lamb. Do not be afraid. God does not condemn you. His love for you is far deeper than you can comprehend. Put God first in all things. When you do, you will experience the peace, joy, and true freedom that only exist in His kingdom.
Invite Jesus to take the central place in your life. Surrender every area of your life to Him. Be faithful in the small things He has entrusted to you, and fix your eyes on what is eternal. Live for the things that last—saving lives and proclaiming the Good News to those who are perishing without knowing God’s love.
You have been appointed as an ambassador of Christ, representing the kingdom of God. Through you, God is making His appeal to those still living in darkness. You speak for Christ when you plead, “Be reconciled to God.” God has given you spiritual authority in Christ to overcome all the power of the enemy. Use it boldly in Jesus’ name.
God is not looking for crowds. He is looking for a few who truly know the power of the gospel and are willing to stand as His witnesses in this age. May God use your life to shift the spiritual atmosphere in your family, your school, and your workplace as you continue to share the message of the cross. Life is too short to waste on anything less than what God desires most.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for reconciling me to Yourself through Jesus Christ when I was powerless, sinful, and Your enemy. Thank You for loving me first and for giving me a new life through the cross. Help me to enjoy Your presence each day and to live the rest of my life proclaiming the message of the cross to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.