He Took My Place
Sinners In the Hands of a Loving God
To comprehend the depth of human depravity and the utter wickedness of our hearts, we must cast off the facade of pretense. Too many live in a world of self-deception, intoxicated with the elixir of self-righteousness. We humans are nothing more than corrupt sinners worthy of the fires of damnation. The Supreme Judge of all has decreed that no one is righteous and, therefore, all are condemned to eternal separation from God. Our only hope of eternal life is made possible through Jesus taking our place on the cross, taking upon himself our sins, and suffering in our place. No one deserves this forgiveness; all are guilty of sin and fall short of God’s requirements (Rom. 3:23).
When I consider God’s unsurpassable mercy toward us, who are by nature His enemies (Rom. 5:10), and His incomprehensible love gloriously displayed in Christ’s sacrificial death, my heart and mind are overwhelmed with humility. Who am I that He should take my place, my punishment for my sin? I am well acquainted with my depravity, unrighteousness, and utter corruption. I know there are no worthwhile redeeming qualities beneath the facade of human pretense; only my flesh, carnality, and sinful nature that cause me to stumble—though I know better. It feels as though I am just fodder for the fires of hell. Nevertheless, He who knew no sin and was completely innocent of sin, took my sin upon himself (2 Cor. 5:21). He took my place and was crucified upon my cross. He was executed, and I was exonerated.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! (Horatio G. Spafford, It Is Well with My Soul 1873)
I could not ignore this unfathomable love that only exists in God, not humans. God’s love is boundless, whereas human love is limited, selective, particular, and often exclusive. Human love is naturally selfish, while God’s love is selfless—something to be grasped.
When Jesus walked amongst us His love and compassion embraced all social classes. Jesus’ motley crew of believers ranged from the social outcast, the sexually immoral, the ungodly, and some of the worst sinners of the day. He reached out to the working class and business community like Zacchaeus the chief tax collector. He also shared with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, the necessity of being born again. Four Apostles were commercial fishermen, one was a tax collector, and another a political activist. The Apostle Paul turned to Jesus after His resurrection and ascension. Paul was a religious scholar, Pharisee, and an expert in Old Testament law. What brought this unlikely group together was a carpenter, Jesus the Son of God and Savior of the world. He spoke the words of life; “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). He spoke the truth, and people who were bound by every manner of sin, sickness, and disease were set free.
Please hear me today. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). The possibility of forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life apart from Christ does not exist according to Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He alone is the Lord and Savior of all who turn to Him! The invitation is not limited but open for “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).
Many years ago I found healing for my sin-sick soul when I turned to Jesus. No one truly knew the depths of my sinful wretched despair except Jesus. All I could do was cast off the facade of pretense and ask for mercy and forgiveness. When I knelt to pray all my guilt and shame were lifted. I was being regenerated and transformed by the power of God’s love. I had not turned to Jesus just for forgiveness of sins but for forgiveness of my entire life which I gave to Him.
It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:31).
Now is the time to give your life to Jesus.
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins, come into my heart, and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus is my Lord and Savior forever.
Suggested reading: Are You Really Born Again?
