Bible Study & Devotional 244
written by: Torrie Slaughter
Guiding Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:19 ‘that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.’
🔴Reconciliation
Jesus Christ’s death on the cross provides reconciliation for believers and unbelievers. While we were once alienated from God, the process of confession, repentance, and forgiveness ends the conflict. That struggle began when we seized autonomy in the Garden of Eden and decided we knew more than God. (Genesis 3)
Stop Falling
The restorative transformation of Christ’s healing power brings humanity into a right relationship with God. His love for us is unimaginably deep and unconditional. However, our rebellion kept us from confessing all our sins. Yet, the love that covers urges us to stop hiding our guilt. And the LORD forgives a contrite heart.
Rise Up
While we are vulnerable and were sinners, God, through Jesus Christ, cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19) We undergo the process of godly grief, and that leads to salvation without regret. (2 Corinthians 7:10) Worldly affliction produces death but, Jesus came to give abundant life. God’s forgiveness is complete and brings us into a right relationship through His salvation.
Lasting Effect
The Apostle Paul continued to tell the Corinthians that Jesus reconciled them through Christ’s physical body on the cross at Calvary. Because God sent His Son to forgive sinners completely, we, through the blood, are blameless in God’s presence (Colossians 1:22). That means the hope of eternal life with God is real and tangible. We have a choice to live for God or die with the adversary.
Do you wonder why shame and guilt grip your heart?
Remember, Jesus, invites us to seek the truth through prayer (Luke 18:1). Salvation is for everyone, and God calls His children to evaluate His plans honestly (John 3:16-17).
Prayer: Lord, thank you for overlooking our ignorance before we sought your will. Thank you for placing a sense of urgency in our hearts to rise and call on the Name of Jesus. Just as you forgave us, please help us to forgive one another. By Your grace, we are saved through faith, and we not it was not our doing. Salvation is found in You alone. Thank you for Your gift of reconciliation. Amen
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Job 40:1-42:17, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Psalm 45:1-17, Proverbs 22:14
This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional. Want to hear more? Tune in on Mondays and listen to Our Given Purpose the Podcast and on Fridays to Talking on Purpose with Torrie the Podcast & Internet Show. Torrie also hosts a YouTube channel of the same name.
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