The Escape Plan

The Escape Plan
Christ’s death and resurrection have opened the way to heaven and life with the Father forever for all who put their trust in Him and His great sacrifice on our behalf. Christ will soon come and rescue His people from the approaching “Great Tribulation” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). He will later rule and bring peace on earth- after He judges the world and every person (Matthew 25:31-46).
God’s judgment is indeed coming on a world in rebellion. He cannot deny His nature. His attributes of perfect holiness and justice demand judgment for sin, of which we are all guilty. “For all who have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The result of sin is death, or separation from God. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Wages are something we earn, or deserve.
But “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Is “love” in conflict with “judgment”? Answer: God’s wisdom reconciled the dilemma- the Son of God would take all our judgment upon Himself! “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

To escape God’s judgment, we each must receive His free gifts of forgiveness and love, “But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). A gift is something we do not earn, or deserve.