APRIL 20, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

APRIL 20 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-28

We were all estranged from God. We were all at enmity with God; none of us believed. We all sinned, we rejected Him, and we battled Him. We did not decide to make peace with God, but rather He made peace with us. He did this through His Son Jesus. It is Jesus and Jesus alone that brings peace to the sinner's heart. We did not seek a "sit down" with God to try to work out our differences. God took the initiative and met us at Christ's cross. There was no bargaining, sin had to be paid for, not compromised away, not excused and not ignored. Our sin caused us to be at odds with our Creator and His Son came to make things right between us and God. He took our sin upon Himself and paid the penalty for those sins, so that we might have peace with God.

The work of Christ on the cross justifies us completely. It makes us completely and eternally right with God. This work of justification makes it possible for us to come to a Holy God, to be in His presence, to have a genuine relationship with Him. Apart for being justified by Christ Jesus, no person can know God. This is why Jesus is the only way to salvation, there is no other possible way to God or eternal life. It is Jesus and Jesus alone! To make this declaration of truth is not a statement of exclusion or hatred, but of love. "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..." Why? Because Jesus is the only one who could give us peace with God. This peace is not just for a moment, a day, or even a lifetime....but for eternity!

Please share your thoughts.