True selected chapters cropped - Flipbook - Page 17
have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and
the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.’
(Isaiah 53:5–6)
On the cross Jesus literally took our transgressions on himself.
Transgressions means breaking God’s laws. We have all done that.
To steal is to break one of God’s laws. We have all done that. We can
steal time, someone’s reputation, things, or money. An employee
can steal time from their employer by doing private work or
carrying out personal matters when they should be working. I can
remember the first time I stole. When I was five, I stole two pennies
from the little girl next to me at school. I got away with it. I hardly
felt bad except when I thought I might get caught.
Have you lied, stolen, used God’s name in vain, or lusted, which
Jesus said is adultery (Matthew 5:28)? If so, God sees you as a liar,
thief, blasphemer and adulterer at heart. Though we have broken
God’s laws, Jesus paid the fine by dying on the cross. We need to
confess. He carried our iniquity. Iniquity is the evil that we have
done. He was punished that we may have peace. Peace with God.
Peace with ourselves. Jesus’ death has purpose.
First, you need to repent from sin . . .
Secondly, you must receive Jesus Christ . . .
Thirdly, you need to believe.
You can know forgiveness. You can become a new creation. All of
this is done by God. It is his power within your life, transforming
the rest of your life, the power being the Holy Spirit coming
within you, giving you a spiritual birth. It is being born again by
the Holy Spirit.
For this to happen you must do your part and God will certainly do
his. First you need to repent from sin, to feel deep sorrow about
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