FORGIVENESS THAT PRODUCES NEW LIFE

Our Lord Jesus died for our sins because of His sacrificial love for us. His death brought forgiveness for our sins, forgiveness that we can never gain through any sacrifices or good works we can produce on our own. Imagine a criminal who committed a terrible crime. The judge found him guilty; therefore, the judge handed him the penalty that matched his terrible crime, which was the death penalty. As his death neared, someone else took his place in the death chamber. The person who took the criminal's place in the death chamber took the death penalty as if he was the one who committed the terrible crime. As a result, when the person died in the death chamber on behalf of the criminal, the criminal was forgiven for the terrible crime that he committed because his crime and his penalty were placed on someone else. Although this story is fictional, it provides us with a picture of what our Lord Jesus did on our behalf on the cross. Any sins that we have committed produce in us death because the penalty for our sins is death. Romans 6:23 says, "For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Jesus took the death penalty for our sins and died for them so that we may live.

For all of us who have been forgiven because of the death of our Lord Jesus on the cross, there is one condition that God has given us. It is described in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. It says, "Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them." God expects us to live a new life in Him. We are no longer living for ourselves but for Him. The sinful lifestyle that we used to have was crucified on the cross; therefore, we have received a new life in our Lord Jesus. The way we talk and live around others should show that we are different because we are living for our Lord Jesus. 

Receiving our forgiveness is not the end of God's plan for us. He wants us to live a new life, for we are no longer living for ourselves but for Him. He paid the penalty for our sins so that we could be forgiven and live for Him.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What did God do to forgive us of our sins? What does God expect us to live after we are forgiven? How should I live my life today?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for the forgiveness through the death of our Lord Jesus. As I receive your forgiveness, you expect me to live for you, not for myself. Please continue to teach and guide me in living for you. As I go to school, work, or do my chores today, may my attitude reflect your righteousness. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.