The Divine Exchange

We live in a largely transactional world, where something of value (typically money in contemporary society) is required in exchange for a product or service. This is evidenced across industries and systems. For example, we pay tuition in exchange for education, we exchange money for food, healthcare and housing. These exchanges are crucial to our sustenance, as well as the sustenance of societies and economies. It may be posited that anyone who lacks the financial resources required for the exchange of goods and services, lack purchasing power. This has negative implications on survival and quality of life (e.g. access to food, shelter clothing and healthcare). While the principle of exchange on earth is largely founded on reciprocity, which is, exchanging with others for mutual benefit, the Divine Exchange is founded on the love of God. John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus was without sin, yet, He took on flesh and gave His life for our sins, giving us salvation. Ephesians 1:7 declares “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” We are all desperately in need of God’s saving grace, as Adam’s fall affected all men. Romans 5:18 states, “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Outside of the love of Christ, we possessed nothing that made us worthy of His sacrifice. Romans 3:23 tells us “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” While money and resources may give some greater purchasing power than others, we were all born in sin, desperately requiring the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Titus 3:3-7 tells us “3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Our works do not qualify us for salvation, yet by the mercy of God, our sins do not disqualify us from salvation. Isn’t it beautiful that we can never be too deep in sin for Jesus to love us, save us and transform us for His glory? Saul was a persecutor of Christians. However, an encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus led to his transformation, a follower and disciple of Jesus. We receive the love of God and the gift of eternal life because Jesus, who is rich in mercy, gave His life.

We Receive Love

Did you know that Jesus loves you unconditionally? He knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). He knows the amount of hairs on your head and He values you (Luke 12:7-8). He knows your heart, habits and every detail about you (Psalm 139). He knows our sins and He knows when we walk in His precepts. He sees both evil and good (Proverbs 15:3). Yet, He loves us unconditionally; I smile just thinking about this. Ephesians 2:4-5 tells us “4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;).” We are assured that God’s love is perfect, pure and unfailing. He loves all of us, while being completely aware of our past, present and future. There is nothing we can do that will stop Him from loving us. He is love and nothing or no one can separate us from His love. Romans 8:35-39 says, “35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Whenever you feel unloved, unvalued, remind yourself, by the Word of God that you are deeply loved and valued. You are so loved that Jesus gave His life to give you life. You are so loved that Jesus endured hate, persecution, mockery and beatings to give you healing and salvation.

We too are called to love Christ. In Deuteronomy 6:5 the Bible commands “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Jesus is deserving of our love and devotion. We are also commanded to love others. In 1 John 4:7-8 we are told, “7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”   

We Receive Life 

Romans 6 vs 23 declares “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We deserved death, yet Jesus laid down His life, conquered death, and redeemed us to life. In John 10:11, Jesus tells us “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” In John 10:17-18, Jesus states, “17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” 

His sacrifice has given us access to eternal life. It has also empowered us to become a living sacrifice unto Him. In my opening remarks, I spoke about the transactional nature of man, how we exchange money for goods and services. However, think about it, what did we give up when we were still in sin to receive God’s grace? We were spiritually poor, yet Jesus gave us access to salvation. Romans 5:8 declares, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” To those who say, ‘I cannot give my life to Jesus now, because I am living in too much sin and the environment/circumstances are not favourable for a change of lifestyle,’ or ‘I am too weak to live a righteous life,’ it is you, you and me who Jesus died for. You cannot ‘fix’ yourself. Receive the love of Jesus and the gift of life; be open to His power to transform you. You are not too deep in sin, too lost, neither have you made too many mistakes for God to save you, change you, and beautify you with salvation. It is when we give our lives to Jesus we are empowered by Him to overcome sin and temptation. We simply will never be strong enough or wise enough to overcome in our own strength. It takes the God who paid the price for our sins to empower us to live a holy life.

God’s grace is sufficient to cover our sins. Ephesians 1:7 states, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” God’s grace is not a permit to live a sinful lifestyle. However, it is an expression of His loving kindness and mercy towards us, calling us to Him even when we fall. Calling us to forgiveness, redemption, restoration and from sin, to holy living. We are called to honour God with our lives. What’s that thing that makes you feel undeserving of God’s love? What makes you feel undeserving of His forgiveness? What guilt are you struggling with? What shame are you weighed down by? The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:19 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Therefore, let us confess our sins, and release all our cares on Him. He came to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and make us new. He loves us and laid down His life to give us eternal life. Are you still waiting on the opportune time to SAY YES TO JESUS? NOW IS THE TIME. Do you believe you are too deep in sin to be forgiven, to be loved or to be saved? You are not. Jesus gave His life to save you and me. Jesus loves you so much. The divine exchange is available to us. Will you release your fears, shame, doubt and sinful life? Will you accept Jesus Christ? I encourage you, receive His love and receive eternal life, through Jesus Christ.