Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Salvation: the gift of God
Romans 5:1-11
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8
Human beings are lost in this world without any moral compass.  God gives us a moral framework and boundaries for us to be free and to fulfil his purpose for our lives.  We can see God’s love for finite imperfect beings throughout the Bible; not only He created the world, but intimately involved in each person’s life.  Just as sin and death entered this world by Adam’s “choice”, salvation and life was also granted by Jesus’ “choice” to bear our sins and die for us.  Today, we are also given the freedom to choose between Christ and the world.  As a disciple, knowing that Christ died for us, what is our choice? 
We are sinners:
With Adam, we, humans, have rejected the sovereign plan of God to be with Him. We were separated from God’s presence and were thrown into a dark world.  Our relationship to God was dead and Adam no longer “walked” with God. Psalmist says “there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 13:3).  Throughout the Old Testament God related to his people from a distance. Only the high priest could enter God’s presence, and only once a year on a specified day (Leviticus 16).  Only Jesus can repair this ruptured relationship with God.  And he was send by God to make peace with the Father on our behalf (Romans 5:1-2, 11).
Christ’s death gives us a second chance:
Bible teaches us that God offers us a brand-new start when we give our lives over to Christ. Placing our trust in Jesus gives us the hope of eternal life and of the “glory of God” (Romans 5:2).  Only through this hope, we can realize the purpose for our creation and restore the glory we had before the fall.  Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  We are unable to be so diligent in following his commands that we can win his approval; the only determining factor in our being made right with our Maker is the rebirth which he offers us through Jesus Christ, a transformation so revolutionary, so radical, that it can only be termed a “new creation” (Galatians 6:15).  We are in communion with the Father through Jesus.
Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we thank you for loving us unconditionally and reaching out to us when we run from your presence.  We thank you for your infinite love and grace you show to us through your son, Jesus.  Amen.
Thought for the day: Unconditional love of the creator is plainly visible on the Cross. We must respond to it positively.
Santhosh George, St. Johns Mar Thoma Church, NY

 Theme of the Week: Salvation: the gift of God

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