I know what it means to live in this world without any purpose except working for my next paycheck and checking off things on my bucket list before death takes me someday in the far future. But what would it profit me to gain all the social status, wealth, and toys I ever wanted, even to have a beautiful girlfriend, if I lose my soul in the process? Have you ever considered the brevity of your life? Most importantly, have you asked yourself if you will end up in Heaven?

The Bible says "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." What does it mean to be hung on a tree? It is a form of punishment. The law tells us that we have done wrong against our Creator and need to be punished for our crimes. God takes sins personally just as a CEO would if one of his employees started going against his company's policy by dressing improperly or wasting their time on their phone within working hours. He might even fire them.

Deuteronomy 10:17 says something very interesting about our Creator: "... [God] shows no partiality and cannot be bribed." In other words, God acts justly and equally toward everyone. Politicians are known to be swayed by generous lobbyists. That's why we distrust people in power: because they can be compromised. Another revealing Bible passage is James 2:10, "For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws." That's a heavy blow!

You might ask, then how can anyone be justified? Let's look at John 3:18: "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son." Here it shows clearly who will go to heaven and who will get punished.

This is the verdict: since everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, everyone is guilty and deserves eternal punishment. But God, who is rich in mercy, demonstrated His love toward us by sending His only Son as a substitute for our sins. Galatians 3:13 says, "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" But He didn't stay dead. Jesus foretold His resurrection: “[...] but on the third day He will be raised from the dead.” (see Matthew 17)

JESUS DID IT! He bought our redemption. Friend, I invite you to consider where you are headed and make the important decision that needs to be made to secure your eternal future.

I've Been Redeemed