He died so that we (who are ALL sinners) can be freed from the shackles of sin - free to change and grow and improve.
He died so that - with His help - we can cease to be wicked and learn to be righteous.
That change is repentance.
 |
| Photo Credit: Tyler Foote |
When Jesus Christ died for us on the Cross, he did more than just die for our sins. He suffered for them. He paid for them. Just as there are consequences for crimes in our earthly systems of justice, there are consequences for sin in the heavenly system of justice. Christ paid the price for each and every sin committed by each and every child of God. He took the consequences upon Himself - He served our term in prison, as it were.
He did this so that we may be released from our burden to pay the price and to serve our time in "spiritual prison", if we will repent.
However, modern scripture assures is that if we do not repent, we must suffer, even as Christ suffered, for our sins.
" 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that theymight not suffer if they would repent;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook andfinished my preparations unto the children of men."
To repent is more than just to overcome a bad habit. To repent is to be cleansed from our sins, having them washed out by the atoning blood of our Savior and Redeemer.
Once we have repented, the stain is gone. The sin is forgotten. The deed is paid or and put away and never remembered again between us and God.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
~Isaiah 1:18
 |
| Photo credit: Christina Foote |
