Because He Lives

Happy Sabbath, friends!

I am sure you are familiar with the song, but in case you are not, there is a beautiful song that I have had on repeat lately — Because He Lives.

Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all our fear is gone.
Because we know He holds our future.
Life is worth the living just because He lives.

A Living Savior

Jesus, the Son of God, was brought onto this earth not only to give us a living example, but also to die on the cross to save us from our sins. What a merciful God we serve!

John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

He died on the cross to save us from our sins, and not only that, He rose again on the third day (Sunday) and defeated sin and overcame death.

He lives.

And because He lives, we can rest in the promise that our God loves us and has made a way for us to have eternal life with Him.

Romans 4:25 (NIV)
“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

Grace For All

He died to save us from the very sins that would have cost us our own lives.

Our God is so merciful and gracious to all of His children — even those He did not walk with physically on this earth — like you and me. Yet, He still chose to sacrifice Himself to save us.

He did not die only for the sins we may consider “small,” but for all sin — the seen and the unseen, the past and the present.

Jesus died on the cross for the murderers, the thieves, the adulterers, and every sinner in between.

It did not matter what sin was committed — then or now — Jesus still chose to die for all of us.

Romans 3:23 (NIV)
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

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

1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)
““He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.””

Mercy Over Judgment

I want you to take a moment and place yourself in Jesus’ position.

Think of a time when someone hurt you or even betrayed you. Think of the hardest situation or person that comes to your mind.

Now imagine being in a position where you had the power to respond with judgment.

Jesus could have condemned those around Him — those who mocked Him, hurt Him, and lived in hypocrisy. Yet, instead, He chose mercy. He remained obedient to God and placed everything into His hands.

Our flesh may urge us toward anger or retaliation, but our Spirit calls us to something higher — to forgive, to show mercy, and to extend grace.

We have all made mistakes. We have all fallen short. And yet, Jesus still chose the cross so that we would not have to live under condemnation.

Ephesians 4:31–32 (NIV)
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Luke 6:27–31 (NIV)
““But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

An Invitation To Come Close

God knows we are not perfect. He knows we will fall short at times.

What is so comforting is that in those moments, we do not have to live in fear. Instead, we can run directly to Him.

We serve a gracious and merciful Father who desires a relationship with us.

It does not matter your past, your status, what you have or do not have — He longs for you exactly where you are.

You simply have to choose Him.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””

A Grateful Heart

Because He lives, we are free.

Because He lives, we can live our lives honoring Him, serving Him, and growing in Him.

Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving us even when we feel undeserving of Your grace.
Thank You for loving us in our most unlovable moments.
Thank You for holding us when we are too weak to carry on.
Thank You for Your mercy and unconditional love.

Thank You, Jesus, for everything.

John 14:19 (NIV)
“Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”

Amen.