I love taking early morning walks in my neighborhood. The quiet streets, the sun peeking over the rooftops, the birds chirping. It is a peaceful time. Well, usually ...
Recently, I was enjoying a leisurely walk and was about to cross the street when I saw something that caused me to jump straight up in the air. There at the edge of the curb lay a flattened, dead squirrel. The muscles in my face cringed in disgust as I gingerly raised my foot far and wide from the filthy carcass. However, before my foot even touched the ground, I heard God speak to my heart.
“Why are you so repulsed? Don’t you realize you were in that same condition when I found you?”
Wow. How quickly we forget.
I have been a Christian almost 20 years now, but have I forgotten the miry pit from which God plucked me? Or worse, do I ever look on someone else’s condition or situation with contempt or disgust? Is there anyone outside of God’s reach? Is anyone “untouchable” to God?
No. The Bible tells us we all need redemption — and praise God — it is available to all.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he reminds us that at one time, we were all far from God. We were all dead in our transgressions and living in darkness (Ephesians 2:1-13
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.* He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called "uncircumcised heathens" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
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, Ephesians 5:8). The prophet Isaiah tells us that our sin has shriveled us like a leaf and our deeds are like filthy rags. Our enemies have left us trampled and stepped on (Isaiah 64:6
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
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, Isaiah 51:23
Instead, I will hand that cup to your tormentors, those who said, `We will trample you into the dust and walk on your backs.'"
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). And yet, God’s Word encourages us with this precious reminder:
“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
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No one is out of God’s reach. God’s mercy is extended to all. Praise His Name!
Even so, not all will accept Him. Many, even after hearing of God’s gift, will choose to remain in their pit. Scripture teaches that many prefer the company of the wicked and the pleasures of sin (John 3:20
All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.
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, Romans 2:8
But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.
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). The Bible warns us in Hebrews 10:28-29
For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to us.
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:
“Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (NASB)
As Christians, we must never confuse the messy condition of someone’s life with the value of that person’s soul. Though his life may be broken, bleeding, foul, and rotting on the outside, his soul remains precious in God’s sight. And God is not only willing, but actively seeks, all who would turn to Him and be saved.
Picture Jesus on the Cross: though holy and without sin, He was insulted, beaten, broken, bleeding, “trampled underfoot,” and abandoned to the grave. His outward condition caused many to turn away – even in disgust – yet that same body veiled the eternal Son of God within. In the same way, when God looks upon us, it is our precious soul that God sees. Every one of us is made “in the image of God” and valuable to Him.
And because only God can see the soul He loves, we, as His redeemed, are called to share the Good News with all who are made in His image – even if their outer lives appear as hopeless as road kill. Just as God reminded me so vividly this morning, you and I must never forget that at one time, “such were some of you.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
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Father, thank you for the precious blood of Your Son Jesus that cleanses us from all sin and enables us to stand before You as beloved children, holy and blessed in Your sight. Amen.
Shadia Hrichi is an author and speaker passionate for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including her latest study, TAMAR: Rediscovering the God Who Redeems Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches
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