Beautiful, Glorious, Savior

Today, in this calendar year of 2023, is recognized by most Christians as ‘Good Friday’. ​​ It marks the Friday before Easter Sunday when Jesus was crucified. ​​ We cannot fully understand the significance of His suffering and death unless we recognize our depravity and need for a Savior. ​​ We are sinful. ​​ In fact, the power of sin is so strong in our humanity that it condemns us to eternal damnation – forever without the presence and protection of our Holy God. ​​ The only way to avoid this separation from God is through a perfect sacrifice – the payment for sin. ​​ We must acknowledge the price paid for our transgressions against God – the suffering, betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus is perfect, God’s only Son, part of the Triune Godhead. ​​ He willingly was born to this earth in human form and lived as a man. ​​ He was perfectly holy, without sin, yet, He was tempted, felt pain, cried, and in every way understood our human condition. ​​ Because He is perfect, He never succumbed to the power of Satan’s lies. ​​ Instead, He always followed His Father’s will in obedience.

 

Jesus is our perfect sacrifice, our key to heaven, the proof of God’s love for us, our perfect example of obedience, the certain and only hope for our future. ​​ Without His death, we face condemnation for eternity in hell, a place of torment and unceasing pain, separated for all time from our holy God.

 

Contemplate what God has done for you through the sacrifice of His only Son. ​​ This gift is available to everyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior. ​​ Jesus is​​ LORD​​ – the one whom we follow in obedience. ​​ Jesus is Savior – the only one whose bloodshed offers payment for sin and salvation from sins power to destroy.

 

Thank you, God for saving me. ​​ Amazing, Powerful, Transforming, Eternal, Protector, Glorious in Heaven, Beautiful, LORD. ​​ My heart is full of gratitude in the knowledge of what You have done for me, an undeserving sinner, saved by Your grace alone, through faith alone, in Your Son’s death and resurrection. ​​ There is no need for striving to get something; only the need to accept what has already been given.

 

Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.