APRIL 14, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

APRIL 14 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: COLOSSIANS 1:19-21

It is the nature of man to be religious. Mankind will always try to get to God their own way...even at the elimination of biblical imperatives. One crucial truth from the Scripture is that we cannot avoid the cross and still come to God. Without the cross and Jesus' death upon it, we cannot know God. We cannot experience forgiveness and salvation is impossible. It was on the cross that Jesus became the offering for our sin. He willingly took on the guilt of our sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God. Our sin was imputed to Him and His righteousness was imputed to us. Our sin and our guilt had to be paid for...we needed redemption...that is why Jesus came. The cross of Calvary is the ONLY hope for all mankind. It is the only way to know forgiveness of sin and have eternal life.

The Scripture teaches that Jesus is the only way to God; He is the only way to salvation.

Many have a problem with this truth and want to teach that there are many paths to God and to salvation. The message of the cross makes it impossible for there to be other ways to salvation. We humans are all sinners and there is nothing we can do to make that sin right. Jesus willingly came and went to the cross to die for our sins. His death, because He was the sinless Son of God, paid the price of our sin, so that we might know God and know His salvation. On the cross Jesus suffered and died as the substitutionary atonement for our sins. That means He didn't die because of anything He had done, but He died because of our sin. He paid the eternal price for our sins. Without the cross, that price would have gone unpaid, and we would have no way to salvation. Jesus loves you. He died for your sins, making it possible for you to have salvation and to know God...all that is required of you is to trust in Jesus for who He is and for what He has done. No one can avoid the cross and know forgiveness. No one can avoid the cross and have salvation. It is at the cross that we are made right with God.

Please share your thoughts.