We are saved from the death penalty (by Jesus) required because of our own sins

By Greg Holt

^“19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”  Ephesians 2:19

(ICB)  Wow!  What a fantastic promise we have from God (one among many really).  We are no longer God’s enemies, we aren’t strange to Him, foreigners – as in not of Israel, His chosen people.

Before any of us knew God we were counted His enemies, no different than the evil one himself.  But then however we reached God, actually He reached us and we responded – we committed ourselves to Him, repenting of sin, promising to eschew wrongdoing, to live the way our Holy Father desires us to.

“⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

After receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior, God grants us forgiveness for our sins, we are no longer counted as the enemy.  In fact, the Father sees in us the righteousness of His very own Son, Jesus Christ.  We are not only saved from the death penalty (by Jesus) required because of our own sins, but we are welcomed – welcomed as family.

God adopts us as His own children.  We are now: “fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”  Amazing!

So we in the past essentially broke the law, disrespected God, and spit in His eye with contempt.  Then rather than seeking retribution – God came to earth in the form of man, Jesus Christ.  Jesus paid a horrible price in torture and blood for our redemption for our crimes.

We ask, and we are forgiven, made family, and warmly welcomed by God.

Don’t misunderstand, there will come a time when there will be retribution, punishment if you will.  If one denies God and passes on from this life, there is no second chance.  Denying God is choosing Hell, no exceptions.

Choose wisely.