...other meditations

why me?

for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. john 3:16

passion week and ascension day (a.k.a.easter) are just a couple weeks away. the story of Jesus Christ laying down His life for our sins and rising again on the third day will be preached and celebrated in many different ways. an average person may hear this story thousands of times during their life. still i wonder: is the story accepted? all too often the salvation story is heard and believed in one's head, yet never truly embraced within one's heart.

the above scripture is one of the most familiar scripture verses of the bible. it is the foundation of the message of salvation. its words tell the story clear and true. however, we continue to ask the question, "why me?" it is a bit perplexing to think about how Someone could love us that much to sacrifice to that same degree.

does the wondering end there with ourselves? usually not. we think, 'how can God offer the gift of salvation to a murderer, child molester or rapist. or for those people who commit little (yeh…right) sins such as lying, cheating on their taxes or stealing a lollipop from the convenience store.' it matters not the sin committed. it only matters that you matter…to God. sin is sin-it has no degree of severity. God hates each one as it separates us from him.

but He loves us too much to let us go. so, the provision of a perfect sacrifice, through his Son Jesus, was His way of bridging the gap. this is the beauty of grace and the magnificence of mercy. grace is getting what we truly don't deserve (eternal life) and mercy is not getting what we do deserve (death and condemnation). oh, thank you Lord!

He not only died for Christians, but for everyone; all people--everywhere. for the sweet, church-going saint, the rebellious, back-slidden Christian as well as for the God-hating, Jesus-refusing, non-committed individual. since we are all sinners, and because of our need for a Saviour, He provided that way to draw us to Him. it is then our obligation to accept Jesus' precious gift or reject it. and that pivotal decision is yours and yours alone to make.

if you're still having a difficult time accepting how Someone could love you in such an unconditional way, remember your worth. your value to Him is immeasurable. the fact alone that He would sacrifice His Son for you, before you were even born, speaks volumes of His love for you. embrace it!

i urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. this is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth. for there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.
1 timothy 2:1-6

a sinner basking in His grace,
swimming in His mercies and
grateful beyond what words can speak,

tamara