"So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men." (Romans 5:18, NASB)
In other words, "....one transgression...," got us into trouble; "....one act..," got us out.
"....One act of righteousness...." Throughout history, right to this present moment, mankind has had, "....a talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious." There is another line which says, "It took me a while to get you into this mess; it might take me a while to get you out." Do you see? Mankind has a very difficult time accepting the fact that no matter how "bad" our lives have been, when we surrender our lives to Jesus we become benefactors of, "one act of righteousness." Our salvation does not require ceaseless effort, constant "how-to" books and seminars, which may be somewhat advantageous, but can only point us to, not replace that, "ONE ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
This, "one act," is the Cross of Jesus Christ. When Jesus declared from the Cross, "It is finished," it is what E. Stanley Jones once said. "He casts our sins into the sea and puts up a sign, 'No fishing.'" I encourage you to remember that in Jesus Christ, "fishing season" is over; "finished," means, that's right, "finished"! The Enemy of our souls has a continual mission to condemn and, at the same time, deceive you and me to attempt to get ourselves out of that condemnation by our "just-do-better" attitude. There is no "better" which anyone can "do" to improve or replace, "one act of righteousness [which] resulted [in] justification of life to all men."
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so very much for Jesus', "one act of righteousness." Amen.
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Heading out tomorrow for three days in Washington, DC. Any prayers appreciated.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
