We Have Been Pardoned

Prior the 1960s, when a death row inmate entered a prison, guards often shouted "Dead Man Walking" as they paraded him toward his cell.

There are various reasons why this might have been done, but the point it communicated was clear.  In the eyes of the law, the death row inmate was dead already.  Barring a pardon, the only way he or she was leaving the prison was in a coffin.

In Ephesians 2, Paul writes that at one time, we were all dead men and women wa
lking.  At one time, in the eyes of the law, we were doomed to death and an eternity apart from God.  Our sinful nature dictated our punishment.  We were dead already.

Yet, because God loved us, he gave us a pardon.  It came in the form of his son, Jesus, who took our punishment.  We were pardoned at the cost of his life.  Our freedom came with a very heavy price for God.  It was the only way justice could be served.

As such, we are resurrected beings.  We were spiritually dead, but are now alive in Christ. 

Here's the thing:  The same power that resurrects us should also energize us to share the Gospel.  We are no longer dead.  We are alive.  We have been freed.  In return, we must share this news with others so they too can be free.

Why do we hesitate?

It's a good questions we should all ponder.  Why are not more excited about the Gospel?  Why do we hoard it's message and keep it to ourselves?

God commands us to share his truth and free other people.  It's time we take up that burden.

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