Saturday February 21st, 2015 1 Peter 3:18-22
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. (verse 18)
As we enter the season of Lent and ponder what Christ’s sacrifice means to us, I ask you, what difference does Christ’s sacrifice make in your life? What difference does it make in mine? Should it really matter in our day-to-day lives that Christ suffered in our place?
One night, not long ago, I was engulfed with pain as memories of abuse caused me to grieve the innocence a man stole from me. I sobbed as I asked God to heal me and, after an internal struggle, to forgive the perpetrator who had long since died. I fell into a deep, exhausted sleep. When I awoke in the morning, the thought of the perpetrator still lingered in my mind. I prayed, “God, did he ever regret what he did to me? Did he pay for it before he died?”
Instantly, deep in my spirit, I sensed these words, “No, my child. I paid for it.” I realized at that moment that the perpetrator’s sins had been paid for along with mine. And I was at peace.
Lord, help me remember that you suffered for sins. Once for all. Amen. — KDG
Contributed by Once For All
As we enter the season of Lent and ponder what Christ's sacrifice means to us, I ask you, what difference does Christ's sacrifice make in your life? What difference does it make in mine? Should it really matter in our day-to-day lives that Christ suffered in our place?
One night, not long ago, I was engulfed with pain as memories of abuse caused me to grieve the innocence a man stole from me. I sobbed as I asked God to heal me and, after an internal struggle, to forgive the perpetrator who had long since died. I fell into a deep, exhausted sleep. When I awoke in the morning, the thought of the perpetrator still lingered in my mind. I prayed, "God, did he ever regret what he did to me? Did he pay for it before he died?"
Instantly, deep in my spirit, I sensed these words, "No, my child. I paid for it." I realized at that moment that the perpetrator's sins had been paid for along with mine. And I was at peace.
