Website DIVISIONS (Over 600 articles to help you to grow in every facet of your life)
Written by Jimmie Burroughs 
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Perhaps for many the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus has no meaning or purpose; nevertheless, it is my belief that when it is fully understood its meaning and purpose will make complete sense. It is my purpose in this article to explain it in relative terms that can open up an entire new meaning in your life if you will allow it to do so. There is no greater event in all of history and none that carries the weight and significance as does the purpose of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
The meaning and purpose of the crucifixion
Concisely, the crucifixion paid the penalty for the sins of mankind. That may beg the question, but why? God is perfect in every sense otherwise he would not be God. That means that he is perfectly just. Every sin requires a just penalty. That isn’t hard to understand since our laws are also so designed. For instance, speeding laws carry a penalty determined by the extent of the offence. Driving 35 in a 30 mile zone has a lower penalty than driving 100 miles per hour in a 30 mile zone, but both offences carries a penalty that must be paid. Some offences carry the death penalty, at least in some states, such as first degree murder. Innately we desire justice over injustice because we are made in the likeness of God. That is why the American government spent millions of dollars, and took nearly ten years to track down Osama Ben Laden.
If someone breaks the law of the land, they are required to pay the penalty which may be a fine, serving time in jail, or even to the extreme of forfeiting their life. God’s overall penalty for sin is eternal death. Death means separation. When the body dies, the eternal spirit separates from it. Eternal death means a separation from the love of God, his presence, and from the presence of everything and everyone we knew in life for all eternity. That may seem to be a harsh penalty, but it is a penalty determined by a merciful and just God.
The good news is that God offers a pardon to anyone who will receive it for their sins. He also reserves a place in His eternal heaven for those pardoned. However, God does not force anything upon us. He leaves the decision up to each one. It is entirely up to you where you decide to spend eternity, whether it is overtly or decision by indecision. According to the Bible eternity can be either heaven or hell. It is impossible for me to understand why anyone wouldn’t choose heaven. It could be that a person believes that they will eventually get right with God before they die, or they don’t understand God’s requirements and believe that they are alright without doing anything more. The truth is that deaths comes suddenly and often times without warning or time to make any decision. And there is a specific way which God requires for a person to be forgiven.
Whether you receive God’s pardon is for you to decide. There is a case in point where President Woodrow Wilson pardoned a man from death row. The man was notified but refused the pardon. The Supreme Court ruled that no one could be forced to receive a pardon against their will, so the man went on to be executed for his crime. God stands ready to pardon anyone but they must be willing to accept His parson.
God has only one way to be forgiven and reserve a place in His heaven: Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me (John 6:14).
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9).
If you would like to receive Jesus today as your Lord and savior, just follow these four simple steps:
- Admit you are a sinner. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
- Be willing to turn from your sin (Repent). In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30
- Believe that Jesus died for you, was buried and rose from the dead. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9-10
- Confirm your belief through prayer and invite Jesus into your heart as Lord and savior. We are forgiven and saved from our sins when we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead.
Pray like this:
Dear Lord I realize that I’m a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe with all my heart that you, Jesus, died, was buried and arose from the grave to pay for my sin. I am willing to turn from my sin and follow you. Please forgive me; I invite you to come into my heart and be my Lord and savior. Amen
I just asked Jesus into my life (some helpful information follows)…
I may want to ask Jesus into my life, please explain this more fully…
The meaning and purpose of the resurrection
There is a great old hymn that expresses the meaning of the resurrection better than I ever could:
Because He Lives
God sent his son. They called him Jesus.
He came to love, heal and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon.
An empty grave is there to prove
my Savior lives.
Because he lives I can face tomorrow.
Because he lives all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
and life and is worth the living just because he lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
and feel the pride, and joy he gives, but greater still
the calm assurance this child can face uncertain days
because he lives
And then one day I’ll cross the river. I’ll fight life’s final war with pain, and then as death gives way to victory I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know he lives.
(From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/h/hymn-lyrics/because-he-lives-lyrics.html )
Conclusion
I write with one purpose in heart, and that is to help you to develop a set of personal abilities that goes far beyond the ordinary and ones few even know about and fewer apply. The personal ability to prepare your eternal future is the greatest ability of all. According to the Bible only a few will accept Gods way of forgiveness: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). Yes, like many of the other extremely important issues of life, there will be only a few who discover what you have discovered today and even fewer that will act upon it. My prayer is that you will not be among that bunch that ignores the greatest truth of life, the ability to determine your future in heaven!
Jimmie Burroughs: Founder of Christian personal development.
About the author: Jimmie Burroughs is a motivational speaker and author who has been involved in teaching Christian Personal Development for more than 30 years. There are hundreds of articles to help you on this website, Website Contents , in your person growth. If I can help you personally, please send your concerns via: Contact me.
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Website DIVISIONS (Over 600 articles to help you to grow in every facet of your life)
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