Let’s Start from the Top
Just so we’re on the same page here, the Gospel… aka the Good (so good it almost seems impossible) News… is a gift that God offers each of us, but it has to be accepted for it to make any difference in your life. (Romans 10:9)
Maybe you heard that long ago, there was a Garden of Eden, with the first human beings created by God: Adam & Eve. (Genesis 2-3)
And Eve bought the lies that Satan (through the serpent) fed her as he worked to create doubt for God in her mind… And she ate up his lies, let her doubts lead the way, & ate the fruit from the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.” And Adam ate also.
Because of this, mankind now has a recognition of Good & Evil in the world. And what once was meant to be complete surrender to Him handling everything, became a desire for us to take the reins from God & fix it our own way… To run our life “better,” as if we suddenly knew better than the One who made us, the world, & everything in it.
And there was a consequence to this… Sin brings death (even death IN LIFE). Sin’s consequence is Hell, for eternity. Because sin is “missing the mark,” or, not quite doing it God’s way, but doing it ours instead. Taking the lead. Trying to usurp the throne for ourselves, from GOD. (Romans 6:23)
(*To read why this was a display of God’s goodness & love, read my previous post on this topic: “Garden of Eden: What Was So Wrong with Eating That Fruit?”)
Sin Is… But God
Sin is foolish. Sin is arrogant. Sin expresses the false belief that we somehow “know better” than Eternal, Almighty God.
Sin deserves Hell.
But.
But, God.
God knew. He KNEW this would be the choice made. He KNEW we would continue to choose us over complete surrender to Him as KING Almighty.
And although He knew we would decide this… And although He knew we could never pay this debt we owe… He knew HE would need to pay our debt… to make a WAY.
And, because He LOVES US SO MUCH, He made us anyway… & a plan for our redemption… to restore us to Him. (Romans 6:23)
God’s Plan from Before Time: Jesus
His plan was Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son… equally God AND man. (1 Timothy 3:16) Emmanuel-God with Us. (Isaiah 7:14) Part of the eternal Trinity of God the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
And when the time was right, in God’s perfect judgement, after decades of demonstrating that no matter how we as mankind may try, we always fail to earn our own redemption… Jesus was born (the reason we celebrate Christmas) to virgin Mary (a miracle done by God) (Isaiah 7:14) & lived a humble, serving, giving life speaking HIS (aka THE) TRUTH, God’s Word, to everyone who would listen, while healing & gently loving everyone He met… demonstrating to us, in bodily form, His great, GREAT love for us… But there’s more.
At the end of His ministry on earth, He gave up His life. He died an excruciating, gut-wrenching death for us on a cross. He took our sin upon His own shoulders, agreeing to take the weight of our debt upon Himself, paying OUR price.
He was beaten, spit on, whipped with shards, mocked, betrayed, abandoned, bruised for our transgressions. Pierced for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace, was on Him. He gave His all for us. (Isaiah 53)
Jesus Is Our Continual & Eternal Hope
But, it doesn’t end there, because JESUS CHRIST is LORD. And, as He promised, He ROSE AGAIN (the reason we celebrate Easter), victorious over sin AND death! Our Victor! Our Healer! Our KING! (Mark 9:31; Luke 24)
You see, He came… not to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE it. (John 3:17)
He demonstrated His great love for us in that WHILE we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
HE is THE Way, THE Truth, & THE Life… & NO ONE comes to the Father, EXCEPT through HIM. (John 14:6)
He is seated in the heavenly places VERY MUCH ALIVE. Reigning over ALL. (Ephesians 2:6-7)
We can trust Him.
We can rely on Him.
We can count on Him.
We can lean into Him.
HE is why we can rejoice. HE is how we can find FREEDOM. (Galatians 5:1) HE is why we can have HOPE.
He brings us LIFE, in the now & in eternity. (Matthew 16:25)
How to ACCEPT This Gift of God
But… as I mentioned at the start of this post… you have to first ACCEPT His free gift… because you can’t earn it.
How?
You agree with God about your SIN… that you have indeed “missed the mark” & usurped His rightful throne in your heart.
You repent to God of your sin… ask forgiveness, in humility, & TURN from that sin! (This doesn’t mean you will suddenly become perfect & will never mess up again, but it DOES mean that you agree with God about it being sin & agree to submit under His lead, agreeing with His Word, the Bible, as Truth, & to let Him help you along the way, growing in obedience to Him. Satan will try to convince you to avoid God when you mess up, but God always whispers, “Come home, my child. Jesus paid for that, too. Repent & Return to Me.”) (1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9-13; Luke 15:11-32)
And finally, you ask God to take over as LORD of your life, believing that Jesus died for you & rose again! He is faithful, ALWAYS & without any fail (1 Corinthians 1:9; Deuteronomy 7:9; Matthew 28:20) . HE is faithful to continue a good work in you (Philippians 1:3-7), the old you passing away & a new you taking its place as He, through the Holy Spirit’s work, guides & shapes you in life (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Don’t Wait for an Unpromised Tomorrow
Don’t let Satan convince you you’re too far gone. No one is.
Don’t let Satan convince you that your sin is too great. God is greater.
Don’t let Satan convince you that you can find what you’re longing for elsewhere… anything else will always come up short & leave you empty & longing (& hurting).
Don’t let Satan convince you that “living it up” will somehow fulfill you. It won’t. It Can’t. (Matthew 16:25) (Trust me, I’ve tried!)
Don’t let Satan convince you that being a “good” person &/or that works are enough. God says it is by faith, & not works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)… & that no one is Good except One—GOD. (Matthew 10:18; Luke 18:19–Note: Jesus is God, but He knew the man with whom He was speaking saw Him as JUST a teacher, so Jesus was calling out this false belief.)
Don’t let Satan convince you that you need to wait another day. You’re not promised to even live through the end of this post. Life is but a vapor, here today & gone tomorrow. (James 4:13-14)
–Agree with God. Repent. Surrender. LIVE.– (John 10:10)
Why the Gospel Is Such a Big Deal
Since I surrendered to Jesus Christ, I have made MANY mistakes. But I no longer live to make them. I no longer feel like I am pushing down guilt & shame. I feel free. I feel loved & accepted. I feel forgiven. I feel HOPE. Learning & growing in my obedience to Him gives me LIFE. It’s not a life-stealer, serving Him is a life-giver. (Matthew 16:25)
Hope against ALL the odds.
Because when Jesus came to die for you & for me… that is exactly what He came to offer us: HOPE.
And THAT is why the Gospel is SUCH a big deal.
Shine Hope by sharing the Gospel, aka Good News… & by living it every single day.
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.
As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
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A Note from Michelle:
This blog/website has been running for THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Radiant Necklace Set (Middle Layer of 3 Shown) (India)
On-trend set of 3 layered necklaces that can be worn together or separately, featuring a labradorite stone, hammered discs, & a blue topaz crystal drop.
In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.
Purchase this set & empower an Artisan in India!
How You Can Help:
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
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