Nougat 9

Being a substitute is not always an easy task. In some cases, one may live in uncertain preparation for a while before being called into action. Further, there is always the risk that we’re unrecognized for our efforts. Yet, it can also create an eternal difference – as is the case in today’s Holy Nougat

“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT

Of course, you realize that in reference to the ‘Eternal difference’, I referenced Jesus. It is possible that we can make such an impact; but let’s focus on Jesus. Agreed? Agreed!

So, going back to the the idea of ‘Original Sin’ we note that the disobedience of Adam and Eve set a clear and imitable precedent for humanity. Their sin (often referred to as ‘one man’s sin) created a serious relationship gap between humanity and God to the extent that Death – eternal separation – was the Only and Natural consequence.

Yet God loved us.

To the extent that God sought to establish a new way to bridge what could be considered a Manufacturer’s Defect. Of course, God could have chosen real immediate and irreversible death for humanity; never to be included in God’s creation anymore. At that, God might have created another being that is more robotic – not quite angels for several of them got ahead of themselves also – that would not experience emotions or practice free will (ie the power of Choice).

Whereas that might have solved God’s problem and the new being would live ‘happily ever after’, God sought to redeem us by identifying something of equal or higher value as a substitute. The Challenge: it also needed to have similar characteristics to humanity BUT without the Manufacturer‘s Defect. Nowhere in ALL creation did such exist. (Remember we are God’s Masterpiece!) Further, to be of Equal or Higher Value and possess similar traits or characteristics really required Someone that carried God’s DNA.

Now let’s note: Eternal Separation (by Death) IS the Problem that needed solving. So the Substitute also needed to have the Creative power to overcome Death. In short; the Substitute had to Die, then overcome the separative power of Death. A God-equivalent human bridge was the ONLY substitute. Jesus Christ volunteered.

Thus God understands Death from our perspective too. God, by way of the perfect Created-but-Divine Substitute Jesus Christ reopened the way for ALL humanity to overcome Death. Being human, Jesus carried our characteristics and being God; specifically the Son of God; He had ‘Greater Value’, Creative Power AND ZERO Manufacturer’s Defects.

Christ’s Death EQUALIZED humanity’s Sin and His Resurrection NULLIFIED and continues to NULLIFY our Sinfulness.

There’s only One Condition – that we accept This Substitute by allowing him access to override (overwrite) that flaw.

Being a substitute can be rough. Being Our Substitute means Jesus awaits our choice (daily) to stand in on our behalf. Quite often, it is a Thankless task – we often take Jesus’ Gift for granted. Yet; accepting Jesus as Substitute makes the Eternal Difference. Will we accept Jesus again today?

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May all we seek be found in Christ