DID A FULL 180

MY TURNING POINT 

We all reach a point in our lives where we question everything. The biggest question I had but was afraid to let out was, ‘why did I have to go to church on Sunday? Why was it a ritual?’

These led to more questions, why I’m I Christian? I no longer have to do what my parents do, so why do I need to remain as one?

I tell you, when you start looking, you shall find. “Seek and you shall find” (guess where the quotation is from)

After some research on different religions, I decided to dive into Christianity and understand, what is its core? 

The only thing that keeps Christianity standing is the fact that, a man came, lived a perfect life and died for us. Not only did he die but also resurrected.

Question: Why do we say He died for us? What does that mean? 

It means that we are the ones who are to die instead of him.

Let’s dive into it:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23 NIV- We say that God is Just and God is merciful, yet those are two contradictory traits. 

Example: If you commit murder, a just judge will ensure that you get punished for it. Hence all sin must be punished! If the judge forgives you because he is merciful, let’s you go, then he is not Just! Since the sin has not been paid for. If the judge decides to take the term/punishment for you then the sin (your debt) has been paid, making the judge just and merciful. And you, forever in his debt.

Think about it, how can a sinful man stand in the presence of a Holy Being? 

Just because we do a couple of good things doesn’t erase the bad, we do.

Example: If I commit murder with no reason, just because it’s enticing to me then I feed street children, that doesn’t change my guilt for the murder.

Sin is sin regardless of the magnitude. We lie to ourselves that at least I’m not doing this or that, but we are all the same because we are tainted. We all, on our own cannot stand before a Holy God. Hence, the need for a Saviour.

God knew that on our own, we cannot get to heaven because it is impossible not to fall short as our nature determines.

In the Old Testament, daily sins were passed on to the sin offering. The yearly sins of all Israel were passed on to the lamb without blemish by the high priest on the day of atonement. The offering(lamb) would then bleed and be judged instead of the sinner.

 We no longer have to offer these sacrifices as we now have direct access to God through His son Jesus Christ.

Why?

Because He is the Lamb. He took your sins on the cross and through his death on the cross, He paid the wages of your sin and my sin (past, present & future).

Through His resurrection He defeats death, and He is glorified to his rightful place as King. So that all who believe in him can be blessed with salvation through his mercy. 

The Kingdom was opened for those who became righteous through Jesus Christ. 

We became able to enter the kingdom through him. Jesus told all those who received him by faith that their sins were forgiven. The lamb would be judged on behalf of the sinner. He paid it for you. 

John 8:11

He told the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Neither do I condemn you” -Out of His mercy, He was the one to carry her sin and be judged.

John 14:6

I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me- Hence why we repent.

What is repentance: Turning back from the sinful life and believing in Jesus in order to be sanctified. True repentance is to admit all one’s sin and turn completely from it. 

Being born again has nothing to do with deeds. Until one is born again, all one’s effort to be righteous before Jesus are in vain. 

You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.

John 3:7 NIV -Being born again cannot be hidden under the table. One would definitely know it and others would feel it also.

Matthew 7:16-By their fruit you will recognize them.

 All the good deeds that we do are not what get us to be righteous, but they are fruits of righteousness. 

So, I guess my question is, will you let the judge pay the price for you or do you prefer to pay it yourself? His yoke is light, but do you prefer to carry the burden yourself?

May the peace of the Lord guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

PS: Thank you for all the feedback I have received. Can’t wait to chat about this one!