By Nancy Virden (c)2024

Most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 

For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.  So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.*

Would you be surprised to learn that this post up to this paragraph was written by St. Paul, a missionary and Christian believer of the first century? Paul went on to write most of the New Testament; that is thirteen, possibly fourteen of the sixty-six books that make up the Holy Bible.

Even though his citizenship and religious credentials should have placed him in a seat of honor, Paul was self-deprecating. Because he humbly preached of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection he was flogged with 39 lashes on five different occasions, falsely imprisoned, beaten with rods, and stoned by an angry mob (2 Corinthians 11:24-26).

I assume Paul became somehow disabled. The beatings alone probably broke bones; did they heal right? We do not know. The skin on his back and legs had to have been deeply scarred. Could he sit, walk, or sleep comfortably? The rocks that hit his head may have created auditory or visual challenges. At one point he writes, “See with what large letters I write” (Galatians 6:11). Paul suffered much for telling people he loved about Jesus. As good as he was, he was imperfectly human, and could not die for his own sins, let alone ours.

Today we see a celebration of death and the supernatural at Halloween. Still, no one signs up to die for another person only because that other person is especially good. Consider then how great the love Jesus proved when He died for each of us while we were still disrespectful, disgraceful, unbelieving knuckleheads. In our wrongdoings, we have mocked God.

Yet Jesus still does not expect you or me to get our acts together before we can come to him for salvation and help. His hands are extended to all who wish to find rest for their souls.

*Romans 5:7-11

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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