Wow, it's been an amazing two weeks. I've been learning a lot, and it's the kind of learning that goes beyond head knowledge and moves into application and living it out. Two weeks ago David Painting came and spoke about Discipleship and Worldview. He taught us about loving people instead of judging them. He also shared something that brought home God's love for us.
On the night when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He had a choice. One that changed the course of history. He asked the Father to make the choice for Him, but the Father would not. He left the choice to His Son. Jesus could've decided to not redeem us. He could've chose to call down twelve legions of angels to wipe out humanity, but He didn't. Instead, He looked into our eyes and decided that the joy we would bring Him was well worth the cost. Instead, He chose the cross.
He chose to die for us, and it is this death that brings us life. For we are separated from God by our disobedience to Him, but Jesus has brought us back to God by His sacrifice. The payment for our sin is death, and that's what we deserved, but Jesus chose to die in our place and instead of death, He offers us life. And even if you were the only one on the planet, and there was no one else who needed Him to die but you, He still would've made the same choice. That's how much He loves you, and how much He longs for you.
But He won't force Himself on you. A gift has to be accepted, and so you have a choice set before you. Whether you reach out and accept the gift of life or you choose to go your own way. Either way, He loves you and nothing will change that. It causes Him so much sadness when people choose to reject Him, but He loves us far too much to force us to do something we don't want to do.
And don't let the devil deceive you. Even if you feel like you've committed every sin in the world, Jesus still loves you and is able to give you life.
So the choice is yours. No one can make it for you. And if you want to know more about Jesus you can write a comment on my blog and I'll gladly write you back.
But as for now I 'll have to say, "So long."