WHY YOU NEED JESUS IN YOUR LIFE (PART 1)
TEXT:
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, ... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1st Peter 1 verses 18 to 19, King James Version)
For so many out there, including those that are in the Church, there's little understanding as to why there's the need for Jesus in their lives. The absence of a deep understanding of the Redemption in Christ is often the reason for the extravagant levity, frivolity and lack of steadiness of faith among them that have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. It's good to know and understand how precious our Redemption in Christ Jesus is!
Redemption in Christ presupposes that humanity in its entirety is in need of help from the consequences of sin. There are those that do not believe that their lives are in a bad shape before God and in consequence thereof, need to be restored and atoned for. The Bible says that
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1st John 1 verse 10).
Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, humanity had become estranged from God. Thenceforth, humanity had been in captivity to sin and satan; in dire need of salvation from sin and sins. "Sin" refers to man's sinful nature inherited from Adam (see Romans 5 verses 12 to 13, Romans 6 verses 1,6,7 and 11 to 14). The term "sins'' has reference to man's sinful conduct arising from his sinful nature (see Romans 3 verse 25, Romans 4 verse 7 and Romans 11 verse 27).
Simply put, man needed to be brought back to God and set free from satan and the consequences of his sinful nature. But a ransom or price was needed to be paid as a consideration for the release of man from his captivity.
Glory to God that from the foundation of the world, He found a Ransom in Jesus Christ, His Son.
"Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom." (Job 33 verse 24). See also 1st Peter 1 verse 20. Eventually, when Jesus came, He gave Himself a Ransom for all (1st Timothy 2 verse 6, Matthew 20 verse 28, Mark 10 verse 45).
It's a settled fact that "No one can ever buy back another person or pay God a ransom for his life." (Psalms 49 verse 7, God’ Word Version). This is so because "A soul’s redemption is too costly and precious for anyone to pay with earthly wealth. The price to pay is never enough to purchase eternal life for even one, to keep them out of hell." (Psalms 49 verses 8 to 9, The Passion Translation). Another translation renders these verses much more beautifully:
"It costs far too much to buy back your life. You can never pay God enough to stay alive forever and safe from death." (Psalms 49 verses 8 to 9, Contemporary English Version).
Simply put again, our Redemption is costly, far beyond our reach! But here comes God's goodness! He has redeemed us at no cost to us, but all through His Son!
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, ... ", the Bible says in Galatians 3 verse 13. He was sacrificed to obtain "eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9 verses 11 to 15). Besides, He did this not with corruptible things, as silver and gold (1st Peter 1 verse 18) but by the shed Blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1 verse 7, Colossians 1 verse 14). In other words, no amount of money or personal sacrifice on your part can procure your redemption.
Humanity in totality is like a man who is drowning in an ocean and cannot save himself, but from a helicopter above him is a life line dropped for his rescue! That life line is Jesus Christ. It's much of a surprise that so many don't see things in this light and in consequence thereof, have refused to believe and receive Jesus into their lives.
God's Word says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3 verse 23). Although the wages of sin is death (Romans 6 verse 23), God in His mercy has justified us freely through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus, His Son (Romans 3 verse 24). Isn't that gracious and beautiful?
Have you therefore seen why you should receive Jesus into your life in order to key in to God's redemptive plan in Christ for you? If you do, pray this simple prayer and you are saved!
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I can see that I cannot redeem myself. I can also see that I need Jesus in my life. I'm sorry for my sins and I repent of them. I confess and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me, in Jesus name.