Unnecessary
Punishment
For Christ died
for sins once for all…to
bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18 (author’s
emphasis)
It had been a sleepless night, full of
questions. Myriad thoughts wound their way through Mitch’s mind…and
hopefully to a listening God’s ear. Around 5 am God whispered, “Your
sin has received all the punishment necessary.”
Immediately Mitch’s mind argued, “I
know Jesus’ blood covered my sin. But I keep making mistakes!”
“And?” God asked lovingly.
“I feel so careless. How can You
still be pleased with me?”
“I was pleased with you before you
awakened at 2:00 am when all this started, before you had any input
in your day,” God gently chastened. Then He said, “You are Mine,
and I am always pleased with you! You are looking for punishment that
isn't coming.”
Knowing Mitch wasn't convinced, God
set in motion a series of events to show His loving faithfulness.
Each devotion Mitch read that morning
held meaning to each of last night’s questions…a song he listened
to spoke of God’s unfailing love…and to settle the matter, when
Mitch went for his morning walk, he encountered Tom, a brother in the
Lord, who just happened to be working on the hiking trail in Mitch's
remote area of the county! Their subsequent conversation spoke to the
the heart of Mitch's doubt.
†
Many Christians suffer from a
performance-based mindset. They believe God sees and judges them
through their actions, and therefore is angry when they make
mistakes, or pleased when they've done something good. In their mind
there is no other option, no room for grace. They're mistakes require
unmediated punishment, and they never feel wholly forgiven.
Mitch and Tom’s meeting that day was
not by chance, it was divine in nature; God was leaving no room for
doubt as to how He felt about Mitch. That divine appointment settled
the matter in Mitch’s heart, and hopefully it's truth will find
it's way into yours.
When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross it
was for all sin…for all time! Not just for those of
the past and present, and those in someone else’s future.
Yet, many of us still question how our
sin can’t deserve further punishment.
The complete answer is deep, and not to
be stumbled upon. As you come to the Father for answers, He will
provide them…much as He did for Mitch. But rest assured, your
performance has no effect on what God sees when He looks at you.
Prayer
“Although I don’t
fully understand it, LORD, bring me to the
knowledge that all my sin was atoned for on Calvary…and while I’m
getting there, lead me in love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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