Greatest lovestory ❤️

From then till now, I made countless reasons for Him not to love me but none of them is strong enough to change Him – His faithfulness and love. But this is not my story. This is merely His story, His “lovestory” for me and for YOU.

Was there a moment in your life when you felt so wimpy, so filthy, so guilty that you could not even bring your concerns to Him because you were thinking He could not forgive you? Or that moment in your life when you intentionally strayed away from Him because you were worn out from life and He seemed not to care? Or perhaps that moment few seconds or minutes or hours ago when you could not control yourself but complain and get mad at Him because your reality was simply the total opposite of His promises? Hey! Don’t worry you don’t have to feel alone. I, myself, had gone through that feeling of being at the bottom and had even gotten to the point that I preferred to be drowned in there because rising up made no sense at all. However, how I was able to overcome all that solely directed to one basic truth and that is found at the “cross”.

What really happened on the cross? People will always answer “salvation” – Jesus saved the people. Even me, that answer somewhat became like an old cliché, a trite phrase. Somehow, it lost its weight. I often heard of it echoing back yet each time I was like “ok.” I must admit the conviction was little by little regressing. Thank God I encountered Jesus, not face to face, but with the Bible.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8

What exactly happened on the cross was the SUBSTITUTION on the part of Jesus – a sinless man took the place on the cross for the sinful people and that includes me and you. It is one thing that He came down from heaven, gave up His throne up there to become a man like us and it is another thing that He bore all the sufferings that we should have suffered. He bridged the gap, which resulted because of sin, between God and man.

Come to think of it. The wages of sin is death meaning the fixed payment of sin is death. Grammatically speaking, sin is singular pertaining to only one. As for me, I’d rather not try to count my sins because they are indeed countless. (“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” – 1 Timothy 1:15) so what do I deserve? It is well stated on that verse from Romans.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

But here’s the thing, Jesus did not just take our place. He also exchanged His righteousness for our sake. The scourging with whip causing blood to flow from His back, the crowning of thorns causing blood to flow from His head, the nails causing blood to flow from His hands and feet, the spear causing blood to flow from His side, the totality of the slow, painful, humiliating death… every ounce of God’s wrath for us sinners was put on that cross and Jesus took all that. When He said “it is finished”, He is saying that there is no more struggling on our part because He already died the death that we should have died. The blood came out from Him covered us so that what God will see when we face Him is the righteousness of His Son Jesus and not our sinfulness as people.

Jesus did not come to bring vengeance to the world. He came to bear all the vengeance for the world.

Isn’t that the greatest love of all?

On the other hand, I would like to share this knowledge to you.

Greek translation: sótéria: deliverance, salvation

Original Word: σωτηρία, ας, ἡ

Definition: welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, salvation, safety

NOW, READ AND RE-READ AGAIN THE DEFINITION. TRY TO REFLECT ON THE DEPTH OF EACH WORD. See? He did not just save us from our sins. He also accomplished what we need in this life. He died so that we could live a life and have it to the full. My friend, what Jesus had done on the cross was EVERYTHING. That is actually a full package. Welfare. Prosperity. Deliverance. Preservation. Salvation. Safety. What more could we ask for? He already paid it on the cross. All we just have to do is to believe in Him. To stand firm on what He had done for us. That in whatever situation we are in, no matter how difficult it may seem, He is the only one that can make the difference.

“Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” - Hebrews 12:2-3

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." – John 16:33

I would like you to imagine this for a moment: you’re thin, frail, and trembling because of hunger. And all you have is a piece of bread. Let’s say that bread represents your LIFE. How tightly would you cling to it? If you give it up, you’re going to die. If you let go of that lone security, you must surrender to death. But what if there is a person next to you and that is Jesus? Would you give Him your bread? What if you have that privilege of giving what little you have to the One who gave up His life for you? What if you really have that opportunity to show your love and gratitude to Him? Would you give your bread?

Let’s take it a little further, picture out you’re in a ship that is headed against the tide and the “beautiful song” is sung by Jesus. It’s like the sweetest melody men’s ears could ever hear. Are you willing to dance the “beautiful song” even amidst the tides?

You know following Jesus is not the EASY way to pass through this life. To hear the beautiful song, there is a SACRIFICE. It could mean losing a reputation, or being misunderstood by the people around you, or being mocked and ridiculed, or even giving up your life. But what is a little taste of earth’s pleasure compared to the bounty of His kingdom? What is your suffering compared to the blissful hope and unquenchable excitement for the eternity set before us in Jesus?

My friend, I am not speaking of religion here. I am solely telling about having a relationship with Jesus. There is a difference between “dos and don’ts” and “done.” The latter is God’s grace – His unmerited favor. The love and kindness that we do not deserve. There is nothing we have done nor can ever do to earn that favor. It is His gift for us.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Wet eyes are watching you. The moist eyes of Jesus, tenderly longing for you to hold fast to Him. He does not kick you when you’re down, but rather He carefully stabilizes you with His mercy and grace, and helps you to your feet. He is so patient when you falter, and is ever faithful to forgive you. His eyes are also full of pride as they observe you trusting Him. He, more than anyone, knows how difficult it is to stand against the tide. He simply wants an ordinary person like you and me to trust His nature and character, and to test His perfect faithfulness.

You just need to have that FIRE to PURSUE Him, that ZEAL to KNOW Him, and that HUMILITY to ALLOW HIM to do whatsoever He pleases with your life.

The question is will you?