Thursday, November 29, 2012

November 30, 2012

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8
 
Following up on the story I shared in yesterday's post, here are some applications:
 
In reference to the convicted and condemned criminal - a thief and a murderer - he is you! And me.
 
Our sins are as grievous to God as his crimes are to us. As Romans 3:23 declares, "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God".
 
Like him, we are guilty and condemned and worthy of judgment.
 
The daughter in the story, the innocent victim of the wicked criminal, represents the holiness of God which we have violated by our sinful thoughts and deeds.
 
A holy God cannot have fellowship with sinful people which is one of the BIG problems with sin - it separates us from God. That is sad for Him and tragic for us!
 
The judge and jury represent the justice of God that defends His holiness.
 
It is impossible for us to violate His holiness and escape the justice of God. In the short term it may seem as though evil is winning the day, but justice and judgment is coming.
 
In the story, the warden represents the devil who had to begrudgingly submit to the Father's authority and demands.
 
The father in this parable is God Who suffered from multiple attacks on His holiness and kindness.
 
Despite all the rebellion directed toward God, His nature does not change nor do His purposes. He remains merciful and yet mindful of those who continue in rebellion against Him. Judgment will eventually come to those who reject the Father's mercy.
 
And, the Son in the story is Jesus! The execution is the Cross.
 
I contend that in order to fully appreciate the love of God you must understand how awful and destructive sin is.
 
While love was the motive for Christmas, sin made it necessary. That is Paul's point when he penned these words, "God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."
 
Christmas proves that God is serious about sin - dead serious.......