Grace

It is such a barbaric act; I mean facing a firing squad. In some countries, some criminals are punished with such; lined up and shot.

The other day a thought came to me about my Jesus. I was a sinner; unworthy; unclean. The judgment had being pronounced. ‘She has sinned.’ The punishment was death; and then I saw myself in front of a firing squad. Someone might say ’but what have you done that could be so bad?’ It was not about the gravity of my sin, or the potency of it. It was about ‘are you a sinner or not?’

That I was! And so therefore deserving the firing squad experience!
However as the administrators of this morbid punishment stepped forward, I braced myself with dreaded expectation. I had resigned myself that that was it! There was no hope; no saving; no help! And indeed the guns did fire, and the sound was undeniably deafening. But afterwards I was able to open my eyes, and incredulously feel my body. I was alive! I was alive! How did this happen? And then I saw another, who had stepped in front of me just in time. He had taken the bullet I was so worthy of receiving. He had taken my place. And as I looked at Him wondering what type of Man He was; the only thing He asked from me was that I live for Him.

What little request! I will be forever beholden to Him. So now what must I do? The life I have is because of Him. Should I live for myself or for Him? And as the days passed, it seemed the events of life had begun to cloud that so fateful day when He stepped forward and took my place. My job; my family; my hobby; my friends; my leisure; my whatever! Whatever, even if it had no worth had clouded that day. That glorious day when I was spared! Yes, when He took my bullet and died for me. It seems so easy to discard that day; to forget it happened; to live as though my life were my own.

And yet if I will be honest I will live the truth. My life is not my own. My days are because of Him. My life was not because of another’s grace; but because of His grace. And if I were to be honest and true; I would make a total commitment and honor Him. Yes, live for Him.
 
Linda Faith

Linda faith is the Editor in Chief of Jewels Magazine. She co-pastors along with her husband Revival Worship Church, Tampa. She is a prolific writer and powerful speaker, inspiring many women to be all God has called them to be. She is the founder of Joy Women’s conference which reaches out to empower, inspire and motivate women in their faith walk.