by
Lee Frances Heller
A baby was born to a homeless couple in a large city. Their car was their home. The baby spent the first 16 months of its life in a child's car seat. Finally they were discovered by the Child Welfare Agency and the baby was rescued. When they took her out of that seat, and out of the car, she fought to regain the only security she knew: the car seat. When she began to exercise her arms and legs and body, she began to learn what freedom is. She readily accepted it and found the joy of freedom which enabled her to forget the car seat.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: " While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His son; how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life." Romans 5: 10)
Our salvation is important to all of us. None of us has any desire to end this life in perdition. We are justifiably concerned where we will spend our life after we cease to exist in this body. This is why evangelists have cried out since the ministry of evangelism began, "Where will you spend eternity?" And then they would break loose on hell's fire and brimstone in an effort to scare hell out of people and scare them into heaven. Such tactics do not motivate. How can we love a God who is constantly threatening? Not me. (Although, as a fundamentalist and a crossdresser, I lived in fear of God and wondered if it was worth it all.) When God started blessing my ministry, I knew crossdressing was not the condemned activity I felt it was. Still not clear, I started a little research in the scriptures and finally gained assurance crossdressing was no sin. God has made me a happy Christian crossdresser; saved and looking forward to eternity with Him. I prefer to bring out the overwhelming positives of the word God has given us as a guide. I for one, and I assume you also, have had enough condemnation from well meaning folks who presume to speak for God and on His behalf.
Christ died for our sins. His death was a sacrificial and redeeming death.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1: 7) "… the [Mosaic] law required that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins." (Hebrews 9:22) "For you know it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed; but with the precious blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1: 18)
Redemption and forgiveness of sins was accomplished at the cross. Christ said, "It is finished." With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Our redemption was complete – praise the Lord and thank you, Father. But where do we go from here? We are now forgiven sinners. Our past is wiped out and we have the opportunity for a new beginning. So how do we start? -- Or do we just run around, saying, "Hooray! My sins are forgiven and now I am a forgiven sinner." Right? If so, all you are is a forgiven sinner building up more sins! We have no power in our mortal bodies to live our lives as a redeemed sinner. Where does the power to live as a child of God come from?
Yes, Christ died for our sins, BUT the precious truth is: He came back to life the third day after He was buried. He remained on earth for forty days and then went into Heaven where He lives at the right hand of God the Father. The day we call Pentecost is the day we celebrate the arrival of His Holy Spirit to indwell us and give us the power, by His life, to become His children.
"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." (Acts 1:8)
Thank God we don't have to wander aimlessly about just being forgiven sinners.
"Through His LIFE we are saved." (Romans 5:10)
By His cross comes redemption. By His resurrection comes LIFE. Now :His power is in us. We are able to pray and experience answers. If we "goof up" or commit a sin that we think would end all sins (the mother of all sins?) we can confess and receive forgiveness. We are made alive and we live in His love.
