I LOVE EASTER—not just the eternal life that is ours because of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. But the new life that is available to all who say “yes” to His saving grace. Jesus gave His life on the cross because He would rather die than live without us!
After He rose from the tomb, Scripture tells us that He took our sins to hell. He did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. He paid the price for your sins and mine: Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Christ’s free gift of grace doesn’t give me a free pass to sin. Instead, because of His life-giving sacrifice, it causes me the desire to love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength even though I fall painfully short of that goal most of the time. If someone like Him could love someone like me, how could I consider ever doing anything that could break His heart?
His gift of salvation for eternity and help and hope here on earth is available to all who ask. But there are so many times that even after we accept Christ as our Savior, we can’t quite accept His complete forgiveness for the times we do stupid. We fail to embrace the free gift of grace.
Author Sarah Young writes in the first person as though Jesus is speaking directly to our guilt-ridden hearts: “When you are dissatisfied with your behavior, you tend to feel unworthy of My love. You may unconsciously punish yourself by withdrawing from Me and attributing the distance between us to My displeasure. Instead of returning to Me and receiving My Love, you attempt to earn My approval by trying harder. All the while, I am aching to hold you in My everlasting arms, to enfold you in My love. When you are feeling unworthy and unloved, come to Me. Then ask for receptivity to My unfailing love.” (Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”)
For Easter give God the gift of BELIEVING you are forgiven. Live in light of the resurrection and feel the power His love gives you.