Too often we think that life is like looking over the stats of a football game. The Colts passed for x number of yards = good. They had 4 penalties = bad. 3 Touchdowns = good; 5 turnovers = bad.
That sounds like the way we evaluate our lives. We do some good things and we do some bad things. The world tells us as long as the good deeds outnumber the bad, you’re OK. That’s not what God says. The Bible says if you commit a single sin you are lost and separated from God’s holiness. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23 Thankfully, because Jesus who did no wrong, has come and stood in our places and received our punishment on the cross, we can have a second chance that we don’t deserve. "... and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:24
One of the things that sets Christianity apart from every other religion on the face of the earth is the doctrine of grace. Other religions have gods appearing in human form, a need for salvation, life after death, etc. only Christianity is audacious enough to tell of God's grace.
The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of Karma, and the Muslim code of law—each of these offers a way to earn approval of God and entry into heaven. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus didn’t come to earth primarily to model ethical behavior or to teach us great truths about God; He came first and foremost to suffer the punishment for our sin. He incurred the full wrath of God for our sin so that we can experience His grace.
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