Christ took my punishment
When I first started going to church back in 1989 I thought this was
one of the things I had to do to be right with God. I figured that if I
go to church, read the Bible, treat those around me well and live a good
life I would be ok with the big man upstairs.
Then one day I heard a sermon from the Bible book Romans chapter 3
verses 21-26. It says…
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
This sermon and the passage above changed my whole perspective on
being right with God and finding salvation. I realised as the preacher
said it was not about my efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9), but what Christ has
done for me (and us) in taking my punishment by dying on the cross for
my sin.
When I heard him talk about sin at first I was offended. I thought how
could he call me a sinner as he doesn’t know me. Then once he explained
sin as about not responding to God’s love towards us, not following God
in our daily lives and not following God’s laws in the 10 Commandments, I
started to realise that I needed Jesus in my life.
While I didn’t receive Jesus that day it got me thinking and moving in
God’s direction. It took me a little bit longer to fully realise that
Christ took my punishment when He died on the cross. It also took a few
more discussions with friends and a few more sermons on the subject.
Now nearly 20 years later I am glad that I worked out it wasn’t about my
efforts, but Jesus’ efforts on my behalf. I am glad that Jesus left the
glories of heaven to come and save me. I am also glad that someone took
the time to explain it to me in a way that I could understand.
It is my hope and prayer that today you will understand that to be put
right with God you need to believe and accept what Jesus has done to
save you. It is all about believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that
He died on the cross for your sin and that you need to receive Him into
your life as Lord and Saviour. It is as hard and as simple as that.
If you would to receive Jesus today, you can prayer this prayer…
Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. I believe that You came to die on the cross to take the punishment for my sin. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. Please come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour. Please help me to live for and follow You each day. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, the Bible tells that your sins
are forgiven, that you are now right with God and that Jesus is now in
your life! You are saved and you can look forward to living the rest of
your life with Christ and spending eternity with Him when you die!
Please let me know if you prayed this prayer as I would love to pray for
you personally over the next few weeks. In the meantime I would
encourage you to visit my “New Christians”
page which gives some helpful advice.
FREE DISCIPLESHIP BOOKLET
Do you know Jesus? Have you asked Jesus Christ into your life? Are you going to heaven when you die? For more information please visit my "Finding Salvation" page here.