I had estranged myself from God. I did this by not believing he loves me and that his ways are best. I harbored lust, envy, greed, and other kinds of godlessness in my heart. I thought about these and occasionally acted on those thoughts. God told me not to do these, for they were harmful. Yet, I did not accept his good and wise direction. I had a form of religion without the true God leading me. I sinned.
Then, I read about Jesus. God showed me that Jesus reconciled me to God (19). Through Jesus, God does not hold my sins against me. He takes them away through Jesus (14-15).
Jesus had no sin. Yet, when he was on the cross, he accepted my and everyone else’s sin into himself (21). So, he who had no sin was punished and died. I accept his selfless sacrifice for me. Because of Jesus, I will not be punished. The old me is gone. The new me is now and forevermore (17).
Now I live for God (15). Living for God for me means more than doing what God says is best and good for me. It is to try to persuade others of what God revealed to me and has done for me. I try to show that he can also do this for them (21). Jesus’s love causes me to lovingly share the good news with others through actions and, when appropriate, also in word (14). I share only when they are ready to listen.
