Forgiven, Part 2: Guilt

As it is written, 'THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE.' But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 3:10, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:21

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It was the darkness and rebellion of our sin that sent Jesus Christ from heaven to earth on a mission of redemption. He came as light into the darkness, but those in the darkness were not able to understand it. He came even though we didn't know how desperately we needed Him. He came as a physician who didn't wait for office calls, but lived among us to seek and save those who were being destroyed by the plague of sin. He didn't die as a martyr or a reformer; He died as the spotless, sacrificial lamb, willing to make atonement for our sin. The mallet and the spikes were in our hands while goodness and mercy were in His...rebellion and deceit were in our character, grace and truth were in His...hardness and coldness were in our hearts, tenderness and compassion were in His. Jesus was the perfect offering for our imperfections—taking our judgement, bearing our sorrow, tasting our death, triumphing over our hell, and seeking to take us captive with the awesome power of resurrection life. ... Lord, I know my sin sent You to the cross. I thank You that You didn't just die for the world; You died for me. I know I am the guilty one. Everything I deserve was placed on You. I come to You without excuse, knowing I am fully responsible for my own sin. Thank You that through Your wounds I have found mercy and by them I can be healed. Amen

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