So I’m thinking that I’ve written a lot of notes, stories, and thoughts so far on this blog, but I’m not sure I’ve said what’s most important. It’s really the best news.
First I want to start with the bad news. I am a sinner. In the short 25 years I have been alive, I have cheated, lied, stolen, lusted, been sexually impure, drank, hated, used God’s name in vain, and more. My sin completely ruined my life. It separated me from the very source of goodness and joy. My sin separated me from the one who created me and gives all life. I separated myself from God; a separation that ultimately leads to death. There was nothing I could do to close this separation. I could not go to church enough; I could not do enough good; I even could not come to Haiti and drill enough wells for dying people. Like if you take a bowl of clean water and add a few small drops of red dye, the whole bowl turns red. No matter how much more water I add, the water will still be red. I can not make up for my sins by doing good.
Now the best news! Because God loves me so much, He made a way for the gap between Him and me to be closed. Not by my good works, but by his. Jesus came to this earth and lived the perfect life that I could not live. Not only did He live the life that I could not live, but then He died my death so that I do not have to die! All sin leads to death. So Jesus, who was without sin, took my sin upon himself and died. Then He destroyed death, eternal death, by raising himself from the dead! He offers me his life, perfect, without sin, and free from death, in exchange for mine, which is imperfect and destined for death. All I have to do is accept his gift and believe in him. A simple prayer: God, I recognize I am a sinner and that I can not do enough good to erase my sin. I believe in you, Jesus, ask for your forgiveness, and give you my life in exchange for yours.
Believe IN him not OF him. For a while I think I was confused about the difference. Belief of God is recognizing that there is a god. Belief in God is trusting him with my life. The best way I came to understand the difference is this: My neighbor pulls up in his driveway in a brand new fire-red Ferrari, and I, stunned, ask him where and how he got that beautiful car. He excitedly tells me that the car dealer down the road is giving them away in exchange for whatever car you bring in, regardless of condition. I laugh and ask him where and how he really got the car. Again he says that the car dealer down the road is really giving them away. Now if I actually believe that what my neighbor says is true, I would be in my car and driving to that dealership as fast as I possibly can. True belief inspires action. Even the devil believes that God exists, but he doesn’t believe in or put his trust in God.
My relationship with God is the most important thing in my life. He has forgiven me and not because of good things I’ve done. It was his decision and his power that freely gave me my “brand new fire-red Ferrari.” All I had to do was to accept his gift of salvation and give him my life in return. And it is in response to his gift to me that I seek and desire to do good. My actions do not produce my salvation; they are a production of my salvation.
Exchanging a broken life of sin and death for a joyful life of love and eternity is the best news I have ever heard.
1 comment:
Ben,
Amen and Amen brother!! Thanks for sharing that!! I can only imagine, and perhaps not that well, how much your trust has grown being in Haiti, and how much your joy and understanding of His provision and blessing has grown as well. I continue to pray for you. I eagerly look forward to seeing you again! Continue in His strength!
love your bro,
Tim T.
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