All of us have gone our own way - "We are like sheep gone astray." We all have been in rebellion against a Holy God from birth. There is no difference between our good and bad deeds - "Our deeds are like filthy rags in God's sight." The minute we understand that "all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God," we can then humble ourselves at the cross and receive God's grace toward us. Holiness comes from God, not from our deeds or our performance. In fact, if God did nothing more than save us from hell, no one would be able to complain.
"For without faith, it is impossible to please God." Not only must we receive Christ by faith, but we also must live by faith and walk by faith. To humble ourselves and submit to Christ gives all the glory to God and God alone. To receive holiness, we must abandon our ideas of earning God's favor. We must be willing to surrender our lives and trust completely in Christ. By faith, I am willing to trust Him with my career, money, relationships, lifestyle and every part of my life. I recommit everyday to surrender my will to His for me and to crucify my flesh.
Jesus turned aside the wrath of God from us and took it upon himself. He satisfied the justice of God and made us alive with Him even when we were dead in our transgressions and our works. We have been forgiven by a Holy God who designed and implemented reconciliation through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God.
Suddenly, we become aware of our freedom to enjoy our relationship with God and focus on Jesus and not ourselves and our efforts. It is solely Jesus leading the way. . . trusting Him to open and close doors and to meet all our needs. As we focus on Christ and allow Him to crucify our flesh and walk in His will for our lives, we are washed in His blood and renewed daily.
