April 17, 2011

Simply Trust

Hebrews 9:11-15

The blood of Christ … [cleanses] our consciences … so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 9:14

— 

There are times when almost all of us feel we need to add something to what Christ has done for us. Surely, we think, there must be some kind of additional payment we must make before we face God on Judgment Day!

But the truth is that all who are united to Christ by faith owe no more than what Christ has already paid on their behalf. He has paid our debt in full!

God doesn’t embrace us as his children because we’ve been trying so hard. He doesn’t welcome us into his family because we’ve been making great spiritual strides. He doesn’t hold on to us and make us new because we’ve done something to make him proud. He welcomes us solely because his Son died for us. Under the old religious system, the blood sacrifices of goats and bulls symbolized the one complete sacrifice needed to cleanse us forever from sin. And now that Christ has shed his blood for us, we are fully clean!

If you’re wondering whether you’ll ever be good enough, or if you struggle with always trying to do more and more to prove yourself to God, or if you fear meeting God—stop your wondering and struggling and fearing, and simply look to Christ with a trusting, believing heart. “It is finished,” he said. Trust in him alone and find peace.

Forgive me, Father, for often trying to add somehow to the finished work of Jesus. The work of my hands could never add anything to the work of his! Amen.

About the author — Shawn Brix

Rev. Shawn Brix has served as pastor in several Ontario churches. He and his wife, Jenny, have three children.

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