Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: salvation

Jesus Forgives

Faith, Salvation, Trust

“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:10‬

God does not grade on a curve. There are no divisions or levels of sin. Someone who told a little white lie is just as guilty as the person who committed murder.

The “godly” person who sinned only once yesterday is just as guilty as the “wicked”one who sinned a hundred times. All sin is ultimately the same in God’s eyes. However, we tend to categorize sin and expect God to treat us accordingly.

We all need God’s grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. There is no one who is too far from being saved. The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”‭‭(Romans‬ ‭3:23‬). Jesus died on the cross for everyone. Even the most evil person you can think of can be saved. No one is ever out of God’s reach.

God does not see people as liars or murderers. He sees people in need of grace. So that means everyone is eligible for His salvation.

Now let’s get a little personal. Are you carrying any shame or guilt from sins from the past? God did not set a limit on the size or quantity of sins He was willing to forgive. He sent Jesus to save us all.

Jesus will save anyone. He saves all people and He saves all sins. We all can turn to Him in faith today and be saved and forgiven of all our sins with no limits and no exceptions. Bring your sins to Jesus and trust the promises of His love.

Pray

Lord, forgive me of my sins. I confess that I have fallen short of the glory of God. Thank You for giving me salvation.

Let It Sink In

Encouragement

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5

Jesus was born as a man but if He had been born of Adam, He would have inherited the sin nature of Adam. Hence the reason for the virgin birth. Mary gave birth to a son but He was also the Son of God. Let that sink in for a minute.

Jesus was fully man and fully God at the same time. He was in the form of a man but not of man. God had a plan from the very beginning to save mankind from sin.

Here is an interesting viewpoint. Jesus defeated sin and death as a perfect man not as God. Jesus went to the cross fully man and defeated Satan’s power and authority. He could have done it easily as God but He chose to do it as a man.

God could have spoken a single word and Satan would have fallen in the blink of an eye. But instead, God chose to become man to defeat Satan’s dominion.

Animal sacrifices of the old covenant system were unable to provide complete remission of sins. But the blood of Jesus Christ was the complete atonement of sin.

Here is the point to today’s devotional. Jesus, being fully man and fully God, defeated Satan on your behalf. As a believer in Jesus, you no longer belong to Satan. You belong to God!

You have victory over sin, over temptations, over anything that grips you. You do not have to battle Satan and his demons. They were defeated by your Lord and Savior. Let that sink in!

If Jesus is in you and you are in Jesus, you are one. Let Jesus give you His peace and love so that you can live the “abundant life” today.

Pray

Lord, I know You defeated sin and Satan upon that cross. Give me the mindset of victory today so that I will complete this day with joy. Fill my heart with Your love and compassion.

Is God Seeking After You?

Salvation

‘Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”’
Genesis 3:9

God’s first words to Adam immediately after he sinned were, “Where are you?” Notice closely that God didn’t say, “I know what you’ve done.” God knew exactly what had happened and knew exactly where he was, but He was seeking after Adam.

God was not angry and He was not interrogating Adam and Eve. God’s heart was broken because there was a great gulf fixed between them and there must be a bridge built to connect man back together with God. The question was meant to make Adam realize that he was lost.

The question was also meant to encourage Adam to confess his sin. He could not plead the Fifth! He had to answer to God and give an account.

Satan’s goal is to cause separation between God and man. But God provides a perfect way for man to come back into fellowship with Him. Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6

Where are you? Where are you in your relationship and fellowship with God? Are you close or are you hiding? You cannot plead the Fifth.

Pray

Lord, thank You for creating me and desiring to be with me. Thank You for providing a way through Jesus for me to be with You. Today, I draw close to You.