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I knew the day would come. My heart broken, blubbering through my tears, I repeated the words over and over, “I’m sorry.”
I had let my husband down. Never had we ever had an argument, a fight, or said a hurtful word to one another. No cross words, no anger or disappointment, but in this brief moment, I had had changed all that.
The Turkey was ruined.
He had worked so hard to bring in that bird. The story of this Turkey hunt was legendary, and seemed to get bigger and more challenging every time he told it. He was so proud of that bird.
And I ruined it.
I must have not let it thaw all the way before putting it in the oven. Maybe part of it was still okay to eat, but to me, it was a complete disaster. And it was all my fault.
He wrapped his arms around me, trying to quiet my sobs, and whispered, “it’s just a turkey.”
“But I’m the worst wife. You’re a hunter and I should be able to cook what you bring in. You’re probably really mad, but you just won’t tell me.” My sobs broke through once again, and I managed to squeak out, “you may not even love me anymore.”
“My love. All my love is yours. You can’t earn it, you can’t do anything that will take it away. My love for you doesn’t exist because you’ve done anything. I just love you.”
Luke 13:23-30
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.”
The Jewish people believed they would enter heaven by two things – one, because they were God’s chosen people, Abraham’s descendants. And two, because they kept the law. But Jesus came to show them that who they were and their efforts were meaningless. They could not work to earn God’s favor. They couldn’t sacrifice enough animals to cover all their sins. Their name wouldn’t be enough to save them. Instead they had to do one thing: believe in Jesus.
Remember, the Bible was written TO the people of that day, but it is written FOR us.
What do you believe about Jesus and salvation? Are you like the Jewish people and believe that your name, your family’s belief in God will get you to heaven? Do you believe that the works of your hand will get you there? Will it be enough to earn your salvation? Do you believe you can do something bad enough to lose your favor in God’s eyes?
“My love. All my love is yours. You can’t earn it, you can’t do anything that will take it away. My love for you doesn’t exist because you’ve done anything. I love you.”
Hear God speaking to your heart. Hear His beautiful love song through His Word.
1 John 4:9-10
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Romans 5:8-10
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Galatians 2:20-21
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
John 15:13
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 10:27-29
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”
Ephesians 2:4-9
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
We are saved by grace. Our belief that Jesus is the Son of God. That He died on the cross for my sins (all of them), was buried, and raised from the dead 3 days later. That because of His sacrifice, being sinless, innocent, our sins are covered by His blood, once and for all. According to the Bible, you cannot earn God’s love and nothing you do can take it away. All we have to do is to accept His beautiful free gift of salvation by believing (trusting) in Jesus to save us.
Jesus loves you my friend! Accept His gift today!
This morning, hear His words, see the truth in them, and pray for His overwhelming love to fill your heart.
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