What Jesus did for you should give you unstoppable confidence
When you think about what Jesus did for you on the cross, it can revolutionize your life as a single person.
Many of us kind of schlepp along, teetering somewhere between passable confidence and an inferiority complex so deep we couldn't compete with an earthworm. We're weighed down by the cares of this world.
But if it's been many years since you've been in Sunday school or catechism class, a refresher of Jesus' sacrifice for you can make a world of difference in your outlook on life. And, if you are not a Christian, understanding this core doctrine can help you see why so many people love following Jesus Christ.
What no person can do
What Jesus did for you at Calvary is something you could never do for yourself. Whenever there is sin, God the Father requires a sacrifice. That means the shedding of blood.
In Old Testament times, the Jewish people sacrificed animals. God wanted them to give up something that was precious to them so they would appreciate the seriousness of their sins. The people "laid" their sins upon the sacrifice. Those animals were supposed to be the best, the most spotless they could find.
Here's the problem. No human being is spotless. We're all sinners--have been from birth and will be until we die. We're not qualified to be sacrificed for our own sins.
Jesus was a different story. He was sinless--born sinless and never committed one sin in his entire life. He was perfect: The perfect sacrifice. He even volunteered to die for us. But he had to be a man to do that, like one of us, so he gave up his place in heaven and was born as a man on earth. Yet he was still God. I can't explain it because I don't understand it myself. It's one of those beautiful mysteries of the faith called the Incarnation.
Why it matters here and now
What Jesus did for you on the cross can change your life, if you can grasp it. It's profound. He died, so that you can live, and that means live eternally in heaven with him, when you pass from this earth.
That's Christianity 101, but awfully important for us single folks. When you're a Christian, you don't have to worry about what happens to you after you die. Jesus took care of that. What Jesus did for you was buy an all-expense-paid ticket to heaven, where there is no pain, sorrow, or tears. And the joy goes on forever!
Basic stuff if you're a Christian, but it's worth reminding yourself when you feel down. No matter how bad things get, no matter what happens to you on earth, your happy future is certain. What a load off! You're going to heaven and it's guaranteed by Jesus himself.
If that doesn't make you want to shout, then you still don't get it! We can step out. We can be bold. We can be courageous knowing that no matter how many times we get knocked down, our life story is going to have a happy ending.
The single life just plain stinks sometimes, but it's going to come out all right for you and me if you're a follower of Jesus. Now that's Good News!
Earth-shattering implications
What Jesus did for you is better than winning the lottery, getting married, and starring in a hit movie all on the same day. It's the greatest thing that ever could and ever will happen to you.
Christians tend to take this tremendous gift for granted. When's the last time you got excited about your salvation? When's the last time you thought about it when you were depressed? This amazing, wonderful love God has for us! It gives you goosebumps just to think of it.
What Jesus did for you is so much better than any goal or achievement of your own that everything else looks ridiculous in comparison. That means you don't have to stress out over being the best. You don't have to worry about other people's approval. You don't have to feel low because you don't look as pretty, sing as well, or excel like someone else. You're a winner right now and you couldn't be a bigger winner.
Are you getting excited yet? Your salvation will be the crowning experience of your life. You'll spend it in heaven with God, where all the best things happen. Heaven is such an exciting place even the Bible can't find words to adequately describe it. I'm not even gonna try!
I spend some time every day thanking Jesus for my salvation. How about you? What Jesus did for you 2,000 years ago was love you like no one else ever will be able to. You have the favor and approval of Almighty God.
I don't know about you, but I gotta get out of my chair right now and do the happy dance! Thank you, Jesus!!
