Have you ever entered a room and immediately felt that you were not welcome there? You step in the room and all eyes turn to you and all conversation stops. Every eye in the room is on you and you don’t know what to do. Everyone has felt this at some point in their lives, whether they want to admit it or not. We all feel unwelcome in certain situations, but there is one place where we are always welcome and that is at the cross.
Ephesians 2 says that we were once dead because of our disobedience and many sins. We used to live in sin and obey the devil. But God is so rich in mercy and he loved us so much, he gave us life when he brought Christ back from the dead. He sacrificed his only son on the cross for us. Crowder recently released a new album and the song “Forgiven” illustrates how we are forgiven. Christ died for us and we are forgiven for all the sins we have done, we are doing, and we will do.
Forgiven, forgiven.
Child there is freedom from all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven!
Sin began with Adam and Eve in the garden. From that point on, we have always been battling with our spirit. Our flesh and spirit are at a constant battle as we try to stay true to God and not give in to our human sins. But by nature, we are sinful. As sinners, we are helpless and we cannot help ourselves. That’s when God’s grace is so beautiful.
While we sin and continue to sin for the rest of our time on Earth, we know that it is by God’s grace that we are saved. However, one concept that has been taught for many years within in the church is that we earn God’s love.
But we do not earn His love. God wants us where we are.
We have to give up our sins and ask for forgiveness where we are in order to receive God’s love. God does not help those that help themselves, but rather, helps those that are in need of help. Its incredible to think that we don’t have to change ourselves or put on a face to ask for forgiveness. God wants us where we are. We are members of God’s family. Anyone who calls on His name is a member of His family and He loves each and every one of us. He knows we are helpless, and yet He continues to love us and care for us. He brings hope ad life to even bad things.
Compared to other religions in the world, Christianity is the only religion where we do not have to earn love. We just have to go to God where we are and ask for Him to love us as His sons and daughters. Nothing else matters in the world. Our hope is not in this world, but it is in Christ. God sent Christ to die for us. He came to earth for all of us and everyone has an opportunity to know Him. All are welcome at His table and He is calling us to come to Him right where we are.
Thank you, Nathan, for a great service at Wesley!
