Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.”
Have you ever been in a store and seen this sign: “You break it – You buy it?”
Well, here’s a true story! My husband and I were in an antiques/flea market/consignment shop just browsing around. My husband collects railroad memorabilia. So he was attracted to a decorative plate of an old steam engine (which was hanging precariously on a nail.) As he walked away, you guessed it – we heard a crash! $25.00!
We deserved the penalty; we received Grace!
There is a 400 year old Japanese art technique of putting broken pottery pieces back together by mending the breakage with a lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It’s called “Kintsugi” – the beauty of imperfections. What a picture of what Christ does for us – creating something more beautiful, stronger, and valuable! God Restores!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” II Cor. 5:21 (CSB)
The promised King – Redeemer has come. He was our substitute. We deserved the penalty of death; we have been given the gift of life!
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever and forever!” Psalm 118:1