Powerful and Simple: How do I receive the gift of Jesus' sacrifice?

 

Jesus came to be a sacrifice for all nations. This message was announced at the beginning of human history, written with a divine signature on the sacrifice of Abraham and on the Passover sacrifice, with more details predicted in various prophecies in the Old Testament. Why was his death so important that he deserved such importance? That is a question worthy of consideration. The Bible declares something like a law when it states:

     Because the wages of sin is death ... (Romans 6:23)

"Death" literally means 'separation'. When our soul separates from our body we die physically. In a similar way we are separated from God spiritually. This is true because God is Holy (without sin) while we have become corrupted since our original creation and then we sin.

This can be seen in this illustration where we are on a precipice with God on another precipice separated from us by this bottomless abyss. As a branch that has cut off a tree is dead, then we have separated from God and we are spiritually dead.

This separation causes guilt and fear. So by nature we try to build bridges by trying to cross from our side (of death) to the side of God. We do this in many different ways, like going to church, temple or mosque, being religious, being good and helpful, meditation, trying to be kinder, praying more, etc. This list of facts to gain merit can be very long for some of us - and living them day by day can be very complicated. This is illustrated in the following figure.

The problem is that our efforts, merits, sacrifices and aesthetic practices, although in themselves they are not bad, are insufficient because the required payment (payments of '') for our sins is death ''. Our efforts are like a bridge "that tries to cross the division that separates from God - but finally it can not cross the abyss. This is because although religious or moral efforts are not bad, they can not solve our fundamental problem. It's like trying to cure cancer (which leads to death) by eating vegetables. Eating vegetables is not bad, but it can not cure cancer. For that you need a completely different treatment.

This law is so far all bad news - it is so bad that we often do not even want to hear that we often fill our lives with activities and that things that await this law will come out. But as cures for cancer it becomes significant to us when the diagnosis that we really have cancer plunges us in, so the Bible emphasizes this law of sin and death to awaken our interest in a healing that is simple but powerful. .

Because the wages of sin is death but ... (Romans 6:23)

The little word 'but' shows that the direction of the message is to invest, to the good news of the gospel - the cure.

Because the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus' death sacrifice is enough to bridge this separation between us and God. We know this because three days after his death on the cross, Jesus rose from the dead, I live again in a physical resurrection. Although some people today choose not to believe in the resurrection of Jesus this is a very strong cause.

Jesus was a human being who lived a life without sin. Therefore he can 'touch' the human side and the side of God and cross the chasm that separates God and the people. He is the bridge to life that can be illustrated as below.

Then how can you and I "cross over" this Bridge of Life that is offered to us? Once again think about the gifts. If someone comes and gives you a gift it is something that you do not work for. But to get the benefits of the gift you must get it. Whenever a gift is offered there are two alternatives. The gift is rejected ("No grace") or it is received ("Thank you for your gift, I will take it"). So also this offered gift must be received - simply that. It can not be simply accepted mentally, studied or understood. It is illustrated in the following figure where we 'stand' on the Bridge turning to God and receiving his gift that he offers us.

How can we receive this gift? The Bible says:

         For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

Note that this promise is for 'all'. Since he was resurrected from the dead, Jesus lives now and he is 'the Lord'. Then if you call him, he will hear you and extend your gift to you. He needs to cry out to him and ask him - having a conversation with him. Maybe he has never done this. Here is a guide that can help you have this conversation and pray with him. This is not a magic spell. They are not the specific words that give power. It is Abraham's trust that we have in God's ability and willingness to give us this gift. Because we trust in God, he will hear us and respond. The Gospel is powerful, and yet so simple at the same time. Then feel free to follow this guide when you speak aloud or silently in your spirit towards Jesus to receive his gift.

Dear Lord Jesus. I understand that the sins that I have in my life, I am separated from God. Although I can try, efforts and sacrifices on my part do not go to fill the gap of this separation. But I understand that your death was a sacrifice to wash away all sins - even my sins. 

I believe that you were resurrected among the dead after your sacrifice so I can know that your sacrifice was enough.

 I cry to you, you can cleanse me of my sins and fill the gap between God and me and can have eternal life. I do not want to live a life enslaved to sin so please spare me from sin. 

Thank you Lord Jesus for doing all this for me and you can now continue to guide me in my life, if I can follow you as my Lord. Amen