OFF-LIMITS

OFF-LIMITS

READ:
Romans 5:1-8

For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting
life.  -John 3:16

As a 12-year-old, I was curious about the Bible my dad was given when he retired from the paper mill.  It came in a special cedar box marked THE HOLY BIBLE, and I assumed that "holy" meant it was off-limits to me.  But still I peered inside.  In the center of the Bible was a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross, along with the words of John 3:16.  There was also a see-through red film covering the page, which I assumed meant He bled and died.

Occasionally, when no one else was looking, I would gently pull the holy Book off the shelf, open the box, look at the picture of Jesus on the cross, read the verse, and wonder about this Man and why He died.  I wondered if His love was meant for me or if it too was off-limits.

Several years later I heard a message about how God had provided access to His love through Jesus.  Romans 5:1-2 tells us:  "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand."  I believed and received Jesus' salvation from my sin.

Aren't you thankful that the Bible and God's love aren't off-limits?  Receive His forgiveness-it's meant for unholy people like you and me. -Anne Cetas

How precious is God's holy Word-
Its pages every one!
They lead us to the Living Word-
To Jesus, God's dear Son. -D. De Haan
********************************
The Bible is God's love letter to us.

INSIGHT
Twice in this passage, Paul speaks of God's lavish love for sinners (vv. 5, 8), demonstrated by the two gifts He gave.  The first gift is His Son.  At a time when we were spiritually helpless (Romans 5:6)-still sinners-God gave His only begotten Son to die for us, to be the propitiation (payment) for our sins (v.8; 1 John 4:9-10).  The second gift God gave us is His Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love (v.5).  The Spirit is the seal and guarantee of our inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14).

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace