What do we deserve? Simple. Death. No more. As humans we have all sinned against God and thereby are guilty of the punishment of death. Harsh? No. Simple justice. The wages of sin are death, we have sinned, we are guilty.
The push in this generation seems to be to combat that simple notion, to convince people that they "deserve" better, they they should "love themselves". But it's a lie. While it is possible to fool yourself for a while/ few people can be so shallow as to fall for this lie for a lifetime. Sooner or later they realize that they are guilty, they are evil, and they can't change that. Then depression sets in, desperation, suicidal thoughts.
But, the beauty of being guilty is so much greater than the short term benefit of making yourself feel good. The good news, the gospel is this. Even though we are miserably and eternally evil, we are loved anyway just as we are. We are guilty but Jesus stepped in and paid our guilt. He died for us. So we have no sentence against us. We are free, loved, without having to change. We don't have to be better! We are loved just as we are. That is the good news!
So... Embrace our depravity as mankind. Embrace our guilt, because that opens the door to truly feeling loved, accepted. Don't try to be worthy, to be good. Instead just relax and let Jesus do what he died for... To redeem us.
Embracing the notion that a man can be "good" is foolishness and leaves one empty and despairing sooner or later.
Embracing the reality of man's hopelessness brings joy unspeakable and peace.
The choice is ours.... We have free will. Pay for our own mistakes, or let Jesus pay for us out of his immeasurable love for us.
