Isolation. Fear. Helplessness. Depression. Uncertainty. Grief. Panic. Paranoia. Despair.
These things are rampant at the moment and the best advice people give is generally ‘remember this will pass’, ‘be prepared’ or ‘avoid the bad news’…
But really the remedy for fear is not avoidance of bad situations. Neither is it ‘faith’ in the sense of believing everything will be ok.
Rather it is a heart (not just a mind) connected with the One and only true God. Not the god of our own understanding, not the god of religions that say you must earn this or that by good works, but the God who created us all.
He says we can’t earn anything – that all our ways are impure, that we are sheep that have fully lost our way and are headed for slaughter. The ultimate punishment for our many, continual and deliberate sins.
You know the lying, the stealing, the lust (adultery), the hatred (murder), ignoring God and rejecting who Jesus is & what He has done. These sins are piled up high on our account which will be revealed on judgment day. No good works will tip the scales – we will be guilty as charged. A very real hell – far worse than what we think – awaits all sinners.
A tragic reality – eternal separation from loved ones, from love and God Himself. Imagine that – the pinnacle of God’s creation (humans like you) being thrown into the place designed to punish satan & the demons! Horrifying!
Although most of us are / were unaware of this gruesome reality – God was acutely aware and was prepared…
He made provision for this day to be joyful for some, despite their evil deeds, their sinful nature and spiritual blindness.
Instead of guilt and condemnation, those chosen will be joyfully welcomed into Jesus’ Kingdom. A place where they will fully interact with God in the way He first intended it – without guilt, without shame, without sin, without pain, without sickness, without sorrow and without death. And it starts today.
Will you be among them? It is not based on what you do, rather on the nature and love of God Himself. He loves you so much, that He sent His One & only Son to die on a cross for your sins – to pay your price – to suffer your death.
Jesus paid the price of your sins, suffered your death
This amazing gift is One that needs a response. Reject or accept? The consequences last forever. The benefits? They begin immediately!
Although you get a revelation of how perfect and holy God is, how disgusting your sin is and the judgement that is coming – you don’t end up with fear. Quite the opposite.
You see God’s incredible love – the perfect Father – knowing we would sin against Him, yet loves us anyway. Getting nothing in return, He gave it all.
You sinned. Jesus died.
God loved. You replied…?
Everything we see around us is just a reflection of what the Bible stated so clearly thousands of years ago. Sure it talks of quarantine and the need for good hygiene.
But more than that it described our evil nature – our complete and continual rebellion towards the One who gave us life. It stated how God would redeem His people – how He would save them.
The Messiah, would be born, live sin free, be crucified and rise back to life on the 3rd day. This risen Saviour would bring life to many and give the Holy Spirit to those who responded. They would experience many things, follow Him and live to serve others – bringing many into the Kingdom.
And you know what they would experience?
Love, Joy, Peace, Acceptance – despite what is going on around them.
The reality is far from fear. It is deep gratitude towards God for what He has done. It is the desire to show love to others.
And tell them about the One who has opened their eyes and saved them.
#thankYouJesus