Verse of the Day 1/15
Romans 5:8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
I read a devotional yesterday which spoke of the Apostle Paul's conversion experience. As I read it and the passage from Acts chapter 1, I could not help but think of today's verse. Paul's heart had not been setting on finding out who Christ was, it was to destroy everyone who believed in Him and His teaching. Read how the New International Version begins the passage about his conversion.
Acts 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. New International Version (NIV)
Where were you in your life when Jesus broke through to you and changed you? Has there ever been a change? It begins with admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. We don't need to clean up our act and turn things around on our own before we can approach, let alone please God. It is a work that He does in us through His Spirit and through the Word.
We may think that someone is a hopeless cause, that there is no chance that their hearts can be changed and that they could ever receive and follow Jesus. Just remember that in his day, the Apostle Paul, previously known as Saul, would have been the least likely candidate for a conversion; but not according to God and look what God did through him. Paul wrote about 2/3 of the New Testament.
James Smith writes:
He loved us, as sinners. He died for us, as sinners. He called us, as sinners. He saves us, as sinners. He will have great glory by saving such great sinners. We cannot do anything to repay Him for His wondrous love. Salvation is by free grace--from first to last! Believe this, and it will raise up your drooping mind!
These thoughts should challenge us to realize that God can reach anyone. May we do our part to help lead others and not to trip them up by putting all kinds of prerequisites in their path.
We cut down people in Your name, but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You, but they're trippin' over me
Always lookin' around, but never lookin' up, I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Oh, let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours (Casting Crowns)
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Romans 5:6-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ in Our Place
6 For when we were still without strength, [a]in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
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