Even though we all have value on the basis of the fact that we are
created in God's image
, we are guilty of death on the basis of our own sin (
Romans 6:23
).
It is certainly wonderful news for us that God loved us enough to send his own Son to serve as our advocate (1 John 2:1-2)
For some unexplainable reason (
Romans 11:33
), He decided before we had even walked one of our days (
Psalm 139
) that he would give us the free gift of Faith (
Eph 2:8-10
) which would qualify us for His forgiveness, adoption and rebirth (
John 3
).
Did you ever consider that everytime we see a butterfly, we can remember Christ's birth, life, and death as well as the great plan of salvation that is woven throughout the Bible?
His Plan To Restore and Renew Believers
Set in motion at the beginning of time, God's plan to cover the sin of all believers and to restore life to all who have faith in Him has been unwavering ceaselessly. The butterfly illustrates this renewed life beautifully!
"...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Just as the butterfly emerges from its chrysalis as a new creature, we are a NEW creation when we hear and believe God's word.
"...whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life."
- John 5:24
Far too many people believe that they are not worthy of this much love. They are correct. But that is the Good News! The guarantee of renewal and rebirth doesn't depend on the worth of the believer. Instead, it depends on the perfection of Christ who pays the penalty. Through His Word He has guaranteed that:
"Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord WILL BE saved!"
It Boils down to this simple truth:
"if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
