Is The Blood of Jesus Enough?
David Reyes
The difference between a believer who is filled with gratitude, love, and humility and one who is self-righteous and religious is how they each understand the work of Jesus on the cross.
Colossians 1:18-20
“And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Either God reconciled all things to Himself through Jesus by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross, or…
Reconciliation is determined by a “church” approved method of peacemaking.
One group believes that to belong to God’s family, you must believe, behave, and think in compliance with rules and procedures determined by man. This group cannot accept the sufficiency of the work of Jesus on the cross. For this group, it is the work of Jesus on the cross AND [insert other ideas].
Meanwhile, another group believes that to belong to God’s family, you must… believe. This group is full of people who are filled with grace, love, gratitude, and humility. They do not have it all figured out. They wouldn’t consider themselves experts. They listen to people to understand. They have nothing to prove, no sacred thought to protect, and no need to take the moral high ground. They simply cannot understand how God could forgive such wicked sinners as themselves.
We see the two groups making their mark on the world around them.
One group grows increasingly exhausted by those who do not meet their established mark. They say things like, “this world has gone to hell!” or “people have become so wicked!” They constantly feel like the enemy is winning and we must fight back and take ground. While they insist they have the love of God, unbelievers view them as hateful, mean, annoying, and self-righteous.
The other group becomes a bridge between unbelievers and believers. They embrace those around them, especially the marginalized. They are not offended by thoughts and beliefs that don’t align with their own. They understand that a journey with Jesus takes on many different forms. They know that everyone is a unique individual with specific needs. They know that not everyone is transformed in the same way at the same time. Unbelievers view this group as the small minority that calls themselves Christians. They wish that more Christians would be this way.
Where do you land? Is the work of Jesus on the cross enough for you? Or are you convinced that more is required to deserve such great and powerful love?