TODAY'S VERSE:

1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

In prep school we learned a new phrase, double jeopardy. Double jeopardy is a law that forbids a person from being tried (judged in court) more than once for the same crime after they have been declared guilty or not guilty. What does this have to do with you? A lot!!
 
Our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, was not guilty of any sin but He paid the price for our sins. He was judged by God the Father for the sins of the entire world! That means yours, mine, and every other person’s! He even paid the price for those who would not believe in Him! What tremendous love He has for us! God the Father accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His Son, for our sins! He has promised that those who believe in His Son as their Lord and Savior are justified. This means that because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, where He paid the price for our guilt, believers are declared righteous, not guilty of sin! Believers cannot be judged by God the Father for their sins! Jesus Christ was judged for them and they have been forgiven! The law of double jeopardy applies to believers! What peace that fact brings to us! We will still commit sins and suffer the consequences but we will not be judged for them. God just wants us to turn away from them, renew our minds with His word, and turn back to Him. He wants us to live the life He has planned for us. The Holy Spirit will give us the power to do that. It is a tragedy for those who do not choose to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! They will be judged for their sin of unbelief in Jesus Christ. They will not spend eternity with God in Heaven!
 
1 Peter 2:24 And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

It is important for believers to reach out in love to unbelievers and explain our fantastic peace of mind as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Give them The Good News! Yes, we are sinners but Jesus Christ, in love, took care of our sins at the cross. He was crucified and died, was buried and resurrected (raised from the dead), and then ascended into Heaven. He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father – waiting for us to believe and come to Him! Shout it from the rooftops! (Maybe you better just shout it from the ground :) ). Let people see God’s love in you and know the love God has for mankind. He wants ALL to come to the knowledge of the truth:

1 Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

God wants us all to live in His love, grace, and wisdom! In His love and grace He has provided us with everything we need to do this! It is up to unbelievers, through the power of God the Holy Spirit, to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; it is up to believers, through the power of God the Holy Spirit, to live in God’s love, grace, and wisdom!
 
God’s love: God is perfect love. Love is God’s attitude of esteem and regard toward Himself and His concern, mercy, and kindness toward His created beings.
 
God’s grace: Grace is all that God is free to do for mankind because of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross.
Grace means favor, kindness, and mercy. It is the love and mercy given to us by God because He desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it.
 
God’s wisdom: God’s knowledge is complete and perfect. There is no way we can improve on His plan. God knows what is best for us. His instructions are in the Bible. We can simply go along with His perfectly wise policy, which has our best interest in mind. Our God is an awesome God!
 
Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.