JUSTICE, WRATH, GRACE

Our nation is presently reeling with anger from a multiplicity of directions.  In just a few moments of invested time listening and viewing we are observing all the familiar sayings resonating through space. What do all proclaim, desire, cry out for?  What is the desire of every group?  The cry is for justice!  We look, hear and experience the devastation of life and property.  We all from our own point of view want someone held accountable.  We want someone to pay a price for a wrong committed.  Wrong has a clarion title and it is SIN!  We have all sinned and fallen short of all that we are created to be.  We are all born into sin and thus we act wrongly.  There are no innocent people!  We are all guilty of something and deserve to pay a price for that sin, for that wrong.  It’s much easier to point out what is wrong in others because we all possess the original sin of pride.  The problem with pride is, we think we are better than we are.  We can always find someone to compare ourselves to that makes us feel or look better.  The problem is, we are comparing impurity to impurity! We cannot from impurity judge or be judged correctly.  What is needed is a pure, perfect standard by which to evaluate and/or compare ourselves.  Only that which is pure, perfect can truly, accurately judge or determine.  What happens when I am honestly compared to perfection?  I fall short!  I deserve to pay a price!  I deserve to be held accountable.  I deserve to be convicted for my sin, impurity!  Jesus is the only pure example for which to compare ourselves.  Jesus is without sin, blot or blemish!  He is God in the flesh, He is the exact representation of God.  He has explained God! SO, when we stand before Jesus and compare ourselves to Him we are found lacking!  Our sin is fully exposed!  Now we must ask, “What justice will I incur?” Do I want to experience wrath or grace?  Now we have a choice, we can continue with business as usual and pay a price or we can look for purity to pay the price.  Remember the only pure one is Jesus!  Impurity cannot pay the price for impurity!  The impurity of Barabbas being set free did not free Jesus, but Jesus’ is able to set free! The only choice to avoid punishment of sin is to appeal to perfection, JESUS!  Now there is GOOD NEWS!  There is HOPE!  There is an inherent desire for justice!  We all want someone to pay!  Someone has paid, His name is Jesus!  There is no other name by which we can be saved/spared from true justice.  We can receive justification(recreated as though we have never sinned) by surrendering to submitting to the truth of Jesus and allowing Him to be Lord of our Life.  The price we pay for our sin is hell.  The price Jesus paid for us through His shed blood, death, burial and resurrection, IF surrendered to, brings reconciliation that leads to peace with God and one with another.  As a bonus, we get heaven when we die.  So do you want justice or grace for your sin?

            Mark                Jesus preached saying, “the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of heaven is                                                            at hand; repent and believe the gospel.”

            Romans 3:10   There is none righteous, not even one.

            Romans 3:23  All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

            Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in                                                        Christ Jesus our Lord.

            Romans 5:8     But God demonstrated His own love for us, in that while we were yet                                                        sinners Christ died for us.

            John 3:16       For God so lived the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever                                                      believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.

            Romans 10:9-10    that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in                                                         your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

            Romans 10:13       for, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

            Acts 4:12          “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under                                                 heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

            John 14:6       Jesus sad, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father                                        but through Me.”