In The Savior's Face

God's people have always found it difficult to be obedient and forsake sin. And they, like us, usually opted for the path of least resistance. But God never gave up on us. In fact, in the end, He offered Himself as the final sacrifice that would set us free from the wages of sin simply by believing in His name.

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Righteousness through the covenant of law was earned by being sinless. While righteousness by the covenant of grace is a simple gift of forgiveness.

In the first covenant, salvation  came through obedience to over 600 laws. But in the covenant of grace, the laws are written on our hearts, and obedience is our trust, love, and awe. 

600 laws were a lot to remember, so God allowed sacrifices to cover sins we couldn't recall. But when we began to view sacrifice as permission to sin, it was time to fix it once and for all.

God needed someone to bring greater love into the world while living a sinless life. Someone who would die to save us from sin, despite a lifetime of persecution and strife.

But where would He find that sacrifice, who would agree to be that one? He didn't have to think very long before He realized it was His Son. 

So Jesus stepped down from glory to break bread with sinners and rescue the lost. He did the good works of His Father with joy, under the shadow of the  waiting cross.

And through it all He remained sinless, seeking only to fulfill God's will; including carrying the cross on which He would die, silently up a steep hill.

And when He reached the top of the hill, without protest He was nailed to the cross. With criminals hanging on each side of Him, it seemed no one would be mourning His loss.

When He declared, "It is finished!" the covenant of grace was sealed. And when He was resurrected on the third day, the truth of the  Christ was revealed. 

That Jesus was the one  promised by the prophets, the one who would set God's people free. And when they realized they had killed their Messiah the fear drove them all to their knees. 

But that was only the begining, for Jesus still heals those who believe in His name. And He will never stop revealing the lies supporting our needless shame. 

And if we dare to follow Him, He will lead us back to the Father, where we will find the freedom in His love waiting for us at the alter.

And then we will understand the final covenant was never a contract to sign. It is a person to whom we surrender; and in surrender, the peace we will find. 

For when we surrender to the one who manifests love- the one who offers us grace- we begin the journey to find ourselves in the beauty of our Savior's face!

By Linda Troxell

From: United States

Website: https://www.humblyseekingthelordblog.com

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