21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 NKJV
He came to save us not to smash us. The name Jesus was not uncommon in His day, and yet this birth and this name changed all of history as well as destiny. His name meant “the Lord saves,” and that was His mission in coming; a mission driven by His great love for us. That mission will mean nothing to the one who has either no view or an improper view of salvation and sin. I humbly present a major provision of salvation to be that which creates, restores and grows a right relationship and resulting intimate fellowship with the Father through Jesus. Sin, at a minimum then, would be that which diminishes, damages, or destroys that relationship. To enjoy the relationship God intended with us it is imperative to know that Jesus came to save us “to” new and higher things, which requires saving us “from” old and lower things. The former is not possible without the latter.
So why would all not immediately respond to this love that saves and makes brand new? Some may not want to change their lifestyle and consequently will bow only to the God of their own control or pleasure. Others feel that they can do a better job of being God than God can. There are many others who simply cannot comprehend the depths to which the love of God goes in transforming their hearts, minds, and everyday life. They hesitate to take the plunge of surrendering their lives to the Lord due to fears of being vulnerable, weak, and ultimately condemned if they face, admit, and confess their sin. They view God as standing over them with a big hammer waiting to smash them as soon as they confess. How sad of a lie that is, for God did not send His Son to condemn but to SAVE…and Jesus came to smash your sin not you…if you receive Him as Savior.
From your father’s heart, Dances with Jesus
He came to save us not to smash us. The name Jesus was not uncommon in His day, and yet this birth and this name changed all of history as well as destiny. His name meant “the Lord saves,” and that was His mission in coming; a mission driven by His great love for us. That mission will mean nothing to the one who has either no view or an improper view of salvation and sin. I humbly present a major provision of salvation to be that which creates, restores and grows a right relationship and resulting intimate fellowship with the Father through Jesus. Sin, at a minimum then, would be that which diminishes, damages, or destroys that relationship. To enjoy the relationship God intended with us it is imperative to know that Jesus came to save us “to” new and higher things, which requires saving us “from” old and lower things. The former is not possible without the latter.
So why would all not immediately respond to this love that saves and makes brand new? Some may not want to change their lifestyle and consequently will bow only to the God of their own control or pleasure. Others feel that they can do a better job of being God than God can. There are many others who simply cannot comprehend the depths to which the love of God goes in transforming their hearts, minds, and everyday life. They hesitate to take the plunge of surrendering their lives to the Lord due to fears of being vulnerable, weak, and ultimately condemned if they face, admit, and confess their sin. They view God as standing over them with a big hammer waiting to smash them as soon as they confess. How sad of a lie that is, for God did not send His Son to condemn but to SAVE…and Jesus came to smash your sin not you…if you receive Him as Savior.
From your father’s heart, Dances with Jesus
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