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The truth is twofold.

One: You are lost.

Two: You are loved.

We are sinners.

It's not a pretty fact, and I hate to say it because of the way the world has portrayed Christians. I completely get why people oppose Christianity - it is likely because someone, at sometime, has been less than loving to them in the name of Christ. That someone has screamed and yelled about hell. And I hate to talk about sin, but we have to talk about the problem before we can get the solution.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23

We have all fallen short, or missed the mark, of God's perfection. Especially me. (My goodness!) There is no one here that is perfect, no matter the appearances. The harsh truth is that our sin is detestable to God, and therefore, we cannot dwell with Him. God is perfect, but we in our sin are not...and our sin earns us death.

BUT! We don't have to stay apart from God. THIS IS WHAT'S UP, MY PEOPLE.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God 

is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23

Because we could not save ourselves, the God of the universe, the God who made puppies and music and laughter and sunshine, Who is infinite and mighty and abounding in grace and compassion, sent His Son Jesus Christ to be our ransom. 

Jesus came to Earth as a human and died for you (and for me...and for every person) and paid for every sin you would ever commit, even while you were still trapped in guilt and shame. Through faith in Him, you can know peace, and you can know security. 

He has made a way for you.

Because He loves you.

Because He loves us all.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8

Not only that, but:

"For God so LOVED (emphasis added) the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

- John 3:16-17

So, what does this mean?

Back to the truth:

One: Our sin separates us from God, who is perfect. We are not. Our sin and shortcomings break fellowship with God so that we never get to Him or earn our way to Him. We are all too broken on our own. 

BUT!!

Two: God KNEW this, and so He mercifully sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to Earth to be a sin offering in our place. Instead of us taking God's wrath and just punishment for our sin, He chose to punish Jesus instead - His own Son!! Anyone who trusts in Jesus, believing that He lived a perfect life, died and rose again to pay for your sin, will be saved from an eternity of separation from God.

This is the beauty of salvation, and it will change your life. 

For so long I felt ashamed, but now I want to dance.

I realize that this is a ton to take in. If you have questions or want to talk about what you just read, feel free to shoot me an email at acousticerin[at]gmail[dot]com. I'm always here to talk!