2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

The greatest lie told and believed to the failing of those who have bought into the lie is this; that Christ only died for the righteous. Undoing this lie is a painstaking chore. At the core of the lie is the illusion that you who believe this lie are doomed to hell. The pain associated with this lie takes on a natural enforcement of justice, I deserve death.

It presents itself in simple acts of selfishness which the devil uses to condemn the act as proof that you are still unworthy of His love and nothing you can do will ever change your circumstances. Every good lie contains a modem of truth.

Allow me to unwrap the lie and roll out the truth. Christ died once for all mankind’s sins, past present and future. The reason for this is simple if you look at the demands for an act that satisfies God’s Holy demands for justice. This atonement has to cover all offenses or it is not a just God who states plainly “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish” in John 3:16. Whosoever is not a restrictive clause it is an inclusive clause. No one is denied the opportunity for salvation.

Salvation is no long offered on the basis of man’s performance. Salvation is based purely upon the sacrifice of atonement which only demands acceptance of the sacrifice. Sin has been dealt with and is no longer an issue before God. God does not have a problem with sin, we do.

2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

The basis for our attitude and actions surrounding sin is no longer a matter of performance, it is a love response based on our acceptance of forgiveness which is rooted and grounded in love.

Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

Why is it that so many believe in demon possession but refuse to believe in being possessed of God? Why is it easier to believe in being possessed of evil than to be possessed of love? People have no problem saying “The devil made me do it.” They choke at the idea of “God did it.”

Jeremiah 22:21-22 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

I am neither ashamed nor confused. I am forgiven. Is that it, are we all sinners where the differences in state of mind exist solely because of forgiveness? I understand the power of forgiveness on a personal level but I might have overlooked its power when I did not have it.

What if all of us were possessed by shame and confusion? We who have found forgiveness have been set free from this byproduct of sin. I do know sin has consequences and in my former state I remember saying “Why is this happening to me?” I was confused as to the cause, sin.

Perhaps we do not preach the power of forgiveness often enough or with enough clarity to overcome their confusion. We make it clear that the ultimate consequences of sin is death but fail to make it clear about the benefits of forgiveness that removes shame and confusion.

Perhaps that is because it is only a temporary state of mind.