Building up believers and the New Testament church

God's Purpose for You

God Has Made Provision for the Way Back

The Bible tells us that God is a merciful God, but also a just God. The nature of God is such that it cannot overlook sin. Even if we could live from this moment on never sinning again, we would still have to die for our past sins. From the Bible we also learn that God is a God of love, and that His great love led Him to make a way, at great cost to Himself. He provided another to take the judgment that we deserved--none other than His only Son, Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 6:21 we read, "He (God) made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Christ)." This is the greatest message the world will ever have. Apart from God's provision in Christ, there would be no hope. Jesus is the only one who could take the judgment that we deserved, because He is the only one who did not have to die for His own sin. He was perfect.

Jesus Christ has always existed with God, but He laid aside His rightful place and took on Himself the form of a man. As a man, He lived the life of God here on this earth, and then took the judgment for our sin upon Himself. If this does not make you shout for joy, then nothing will! Never in the history of the universe has such love been demonstrated. True love, God's love, is not just a surface emotional influence that causes people to smile and laugh. It is rather a driving motivation that spares nothing in giving so others may live. God did not spare anything in His giving, but gave all that we might live.

God has paid the debt for us which we could not pay, and has redeemed us for Himself. His provision is complete, and includes not only spiritual healing, but physical healing as well. As wonderful as all of this is, however, it is not automatically ours because we learn about it. Although God has made a way for every person to be redeemed, most men will not be saved. There is one vital element that must be added to make the provision yours, and that is faith.

Faith is not some mystical wishing, open only to a few who seem to us a little "odd," or open to mysticism. Faith is real. Faith is a response to the word of God which He speaks to our hearts. It is obedience to the commands of God to us. It begins as a purposeful intention in the heart and ends in outward action in our lives. Faith is believing what God has spoken, determining in the innermost person to take action on what God has spoken, and following through in obedience to receive the provision of God. We are told that faith pleases God, and that in fact it is the only way we can please God. Everything in the kingdom of God is made yours by faith. God deals with you in mercy and grace, and in response He asks you to believe Him, to receive from Him by faith. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

How do you make this provision of God for your sin to be your own? The first command of God to respond to by faith is, "Repent." In Ezekiel 18:32 we read, "'For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,' declares the Lord God, 'Therefore, repent and live.'" This message has never changed. It was the message of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), the message of Jesus (Matthew 4:17), the message of Peter (Acts 2:38), and the message of Paul (Acts 17:30, 20:21). Down through the ages, this has been the beginning message of God in His dealings with men--the foundation which must come before all else.

Repentance is a turning from the direction we are going, toward God. It is a change of mind about the whole matter. It points our whole being in the right direction, looking only to God. It is an act of faith in response to the word of God when He reveals to us our helpless condition of death and sin. Repentance is a complete change of heart resulting in outward obedience (2 Corinthians 7:10,11). Satan will tell you that you can't repent, but he is a liar. God commands you to repent, and He never commands us to do anything without also providing the power to do it. Acknowledge your sinful condition before God, and turn from your sin to the Lord Jesus. You will find Him there to meet you at the throne of mercy (Hebrews 4:16).

Do not delay as you sense God speaking to your heart. Tomorrow may be too late--settle your account with God now. God never promises you another chance besides this one. It can all happen in a moment, but until you act, you are still bound to die in judgment for your own sins. Let Him wash you with His blood. He has promised He will do this for anyone who will come. Come now. "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water'" (John 7:37-38).