Significance of Good Friday

Today is turning out to be the perfect day to end a work week and to appreciate the significance of Good Friday. This day is not like any other day in that we should be reminded of the awesome event that occurred over 2000 years ago. This is the day that Jesus Christ was crucified on a cruel roman cross at Golgotha. This event is central to Christian theology and it is important for us to remember that if it were not for this event we would not be able to embrace grace.
There is a popular primetime cop show on that features a female detective who is portrayed as a female cop who is shadowed by an angel whose job is to lead her towards God or familiarize her with God. At the beginning of the show there is a theme song where this actress is heard speaking about living the good life and embracing everything there is to embrace which basically means she is encouraging people to live life to the fullest , no matter what that is, and they will be “embracing their grace”. You can go on the website for the Saving Grace show and tell your “embracing grace” story.
The problem with the “do it if it feels good” or “live life to its fullest” mantra that the world loves to preach is that it has nothing to do with the GRACE of God that only Christ is able to provide. When Jesus endured the pain, torture and suffering of the cross he fulfilled prophecy and he became the sacrificial lamb that took upon himself the penalty for sin for all mankind. Jesus Christ chose to do the fathers will instead of imposing his will. When Jesus prayed in the garden he said this in Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done." Jesus could have chosen not to endure the cross and to call down a legion of angels from heaven to end the torture and suffering but he did not. The bible tells us in Romans 5:8 “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us”. How great a love God has for his creation to demonstrate it through the death , burial and resurrection.
Good Friday provides us with blood bought GRACE and not the cheap grace that is portrayed both on TV, movies and in secular media. There are preachers out there in this world that also preach a cheap grace. They preach “come to Jesus because he loves you and all will be well”. They falsely portray Jesus Christ as a puppet who offers salvation to all and all you have to do is say the sinner’s prayer and all your problems will go away. Life will be grand, your checking account will be full, there will be no more sickness and you will be prosperous.
If you do not believe that there is a prosperity doctrine being preached by wolves in sheep’s clothing just turn on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and you will be able to listen to the likes of Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Hagan and company. Just make sure if you listen to them and decide to buy into the lies make sure you have your check book handy and have lots of cash to give them. You will be prosperous ONLY if you are willing to give. After all, televangelism COSTS loads of bucks and they NEED and WANT you to give.
The GRACE of God portrayed in the bible as God has pursued His creation through the ages is not a cheap grace nor should it be thought of or treated in that manner. As a teenager God revealed to me my need for His love, mercy and forgiveness of sins. He showed me through his written word (Bible) and through other Christians who showed me His word that my righteousness and “good works” theology was just not good enough for me to obtain forgiveness of sins or to have my name written in the lambs book of life. Only through accepting the gift of God at Calvary and by repenting of my sins would my sins be forgiven. When Jesus hung on that cross surrounded by thieves that act provided the forgiveness of my sins, your sins and the sins of the world both past, present and future. There is nothing more awesome than that folks. God paid the penalty of our sins through his son Jesus Christ on the cross. That is how much he loves us. How we live our lives in obedience to His word will be the determining factor in our telling God how much we love him. When we “embracing OUR grace” by living our lives to the fullest and “doing it if it feels good” then that cheapens the grace of God. If we embrace the world view and live life according to our will then we are spitting in the face of God.
I would encourage all of us to take the time today to reflect on the gift of God on the cross. Let us embrace the love of God and the Grace of God by rededicating our lives to living the kind of life that will bring glory, honor and praise to Him. All we have to do is to pray and ask God to forgive us of our sins. Ask God to set our feet on a new path and read His word and ask God to open our eyes to the truth that is there. We can ask the Holy Spirit to renew us as only the Holy Spirit can and give us power to live by. Once we commit to doing these things will we experience the Abundant Life that God promises for us.







James Moffitt
http://www.lightourworld.com
chiefpropellerhead@comcast.net