What did it cost God to extend grace?

His only Son.

1 John 4:9 KJV — In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

God is a good judge.

He looked at our sins and pronounced us guilty.

Nehemiah 9:33 NKJV — However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly.

The punishment He warned us about in the Garden of Eden, we chose.

Genesis 2:16-17NKJV — And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

He didn’t leave us to our condemnation.

From the time we first sinned, God had a plan to extend grace.

Genesis 3:15bNKJV — “…He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

He’d send His son to die in our place.

And those who believe on Jesus Christ will be saved.

John 3:18 KJV — He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

For those who have accepted salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, it is cherished and extremely valuable.

May we never forget what Christ paid to extend the incredible gift nor allow this life to cheapen the truth of it’s worth.

God paid the highest price to extend us grace and forgive our sins that we might not be condemned.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for Your faithfulness to do whatever was required to extend us grace. Lord Jesus, may we never become callous to Your incredible gift nor cheapen the value by intentionally ignoring You and Your Word. Lord, please help us to be purposeful, mindful of the gift, grateful for Your sacrifice, and humbled by what our sins cost You. Lord, You suffered and died, then rose again, defeating sin and death forever! Thank You! What an awesome God You are! What a wonderful gift we have through Your sacrifice! Lord Jesus, let the whole World look on Him whom they have pierced and recognize the truth. Lord Jesus, You are worthy of praise, honor, and glory! Amen.

Past

I love this old photograph of my father and his sister.

What lies in the past?

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV — Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Often, it holds regret, shame, and always sin.

“It’s only a white lie…”

“Well, it was just a one time thing…”

“I’m only hurting myself…”

Sin hides beneath falsehood.

Marring each person’s heart.

And sin never hurts only one person.

Instead sin causes a rippling of consequences which can cause harm for generations.

Jesus bore every painful bitter sin upon the cross.

Your sin.

My sin.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV — who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

But He did it, that we might live for righteousness.

Because the list of those who won’t inherit the kingdom of heaven is only part of the truth.

1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Jesus is the only One Who can cleanse our past and heal our hurt.

Because sin always brings pain.

But Jesus brings salvation.

Whatever your past might hold, relinquish it into the hands of the Lord Jesus and let His truth set you free.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for going through the pain and suffering of the cross to provide freedom from sin and eternal separation from You. Lord, there are so many ways we try to forget or hide from the past, when You paid for it already. Lord, please heal those who are hurting. Let forgiveness and trust replace shame and fear. Lord, let our hearts be humble before You that we might freely lift up those things which cause us anxiety, pain, grief, and suffering. Lord, thank You for loving each one of us. Thank You for being our salvation. Thank You for paying the price. I love You, Lord. Amen.