Can one ever hear the salvation message of Jesus too often? I think when you realise where you were actually going and what would have happened to you if your path had not crossed with Jesus’ path at the cross, then you want to hear the message over and over and over.

²God… has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. Wow, that’s lifesaving! Let’s read the verse again: … to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus.

What we’ve done and, yes, unfortunately still do from time to time is unacceptable to God. We deserve a different path. We deserve a God-forsaken path – a path where God is not. May we be spared that, because there will only be chaos where people destroy each other.

Even today, we deserve God to spit us out like a hot potato. But God doesn’t do it, because when He looks at us through the cross of Christ, it’s as if Jesus’ cross filters out the wrongdoing.

However, this does not give me the right to waste all this love and grace I receive so much daily. I can’t take an attitude of: “At least Jesus’ blood washed away all my sins, so why not just play in the mud of life again?”

God will not allow it. God will not let anyone waste Jesus’ blood. This was an expensive price: Jesus’ life. The highest, greatest price that could ever be paid: Jesus’ blood had to flow for my sins and yours. This is all that could work so that you and I, amid our mistakes, could return to God.

When I understand Jesus’ pain on the cross, when I understand that God looks at me again with loving eyes, I can’t help but jump up and want to give some of the grace and love to others.

When you realise what God has done for you through Jesus on the cross, you can’t help it. Listen carefully to what is written here: when you realise what God has done for you, you cannot do otherwise.

Then it is probably true that if our lives do not show that we want to and do help the people in the gutters of life, there is something wrong with my picture of what really happened on the cross.

Let’s make a real effort to show Jesus to the world again. Let’s reach out in gratitude and make a difference to others, because, although they may not even know it, Jesus’ blood has also made them acceptable in God’s eyes.

That’s why they have another chance. That’s why we have another chance!

Thanks to God!

Scripture
1 Peter 1:1-2

Reflection
What does Jesus’ death on the cross mean?
How does it affect your life?
Who can you share it with now?

Prayer
Father, how does one thank you for Jesus’ death on the cross? How does one live a life of gratitude? How can others see this in my life? I want to show it; please help me through Your Spirit. Amen.