A Matter of Life And Death

During the month of April the minds and hearts of the faith community are fastened upon the sacrifice of our savior.  We should not, however, languish in sadness, for doing so is to not fully understand the purpose of His coming.  I know this is difficult–especially after viewing depictions such as “The Passion of Christ,” but let’s view His suffering in light of its purpose.

First, it was only through the death of Christ that we have access to life–Not just our mortal existence,  but the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins.  Having been forgiven, or justified, we are at peace with God and have access by faith to grace. (Romans 5:1-2)

Secondly, salvation through Jesus’ death was given by mercy (not works).  It is by mercy that the Holy Spirit brought us regeneration and the hope of life eternal (Titus 3:5-7)

So, although the occasion may be sad, a greater good was accomplished with the finished work on the cross.  There is no greater good than for grace and mercy to have been extended to the masses by the death of one.  (……  For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many: Romans 5:15)