Dear Friend:
Few of us have ever had rusted manacles clamped to our wrists, worn a filthy,
shredded robe, and had dirt caked on our skin while locked in a dark, foul,
isolated dungeon.
But all of us can mentally enter that space to feel what it’s like . . . and
we should. Because sin had put us in such a desperate situation . . . and the
apostle Paul tells us to remember how we were once godless and hopeless
(Ephesians 2:11–12). Life without God is that awful. Our situation, that
serious and urgent.
All of us needed a deliverer stronger than sin, Satan, and death. Most
importantly, we needed God. But God is holy, righteous, and just. While He
made us in His image to be with Him and be like Him, sin corrupted our nature
and severed our relationship. No matter what or how much we tried—if we
even cared to try at all—we were utterly helpless to find deliverance, attain a
relationship with God, and fulfill our purpose. How wretched we were!
Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this
through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 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.
(Romans 3:24–25)
You won’t find a better statement about the cross than that priceless gem
from Paul. The death of Christ on behalf of sinners is the heart of the good
news.
Jesus went from royalty to rags that He might take us from rags to royalty.
He shattered our manacles, washed the filth off our life, clothed us with
dazzling, white robes, gave us a key to a luxurious suite in His mansion, and
fixed a nameplate upon His table where He’s reserved us a seat. From eternal
ruin to everlasting glory, from despised sinner to favored child of God . . .
in Christ, that is our destiny and identity!
Insight for Living Ministries never tires of proclaiming Christ and
Christ crucified. No one can find deliverance, God, or purpose apart
from the gospel. Those who financially give to this Bible-teaching
ministry help proclaim the gospel through multiple languages in dozens
of countries worldwide.
Will you please send a generous gift this month? Your sacrificial
giving reflects the sacrificial love of our heavenly Father who sent His
Son to save us.
While it’s important to remember our past, it’s essential to dwell on our
privileges, calling, and inheritance in Christ. “He who did not spare His own
Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely
give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). ALL THINGS!
With profound gratitude for Christ’s death,
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll