What in the world did Christ accomplish for us other than a promised resurrection? I mean, yeah that is awesome, but being human, I want instant gratification. What did Christ do that affects me now. He came to do the opposite of Satan. "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."
When I was under the impression that "God so loved the world"*, I was always afraid that He was still mad at ME for not giving Him 110%. As if I could with-hold any part of me from Him. I was scared for my immortal soul, because I didn't want to burn in hell-fire forever and ever. Satan STOLE my joy, he KILLED my happiness, and he DESTROYED my peace of mind.
Bette Midler performed a song titled, "The Rose," and in this song there are the lyrics: "It's the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live." Now I understand that she wasn't exactly talking about dying and going to hell in this context, but for me it struck a chord. I was so afraid of DYING because of what was going to happen to me next, that I couldn't truly LIVE! In fact, I was barely alive at all! I was in a psyche ward weighing in at 110 lbs, being tranquilized and fed pills just to gain weight.
It wasn't until God removed the blinders from my eyes that I was able to TRULY LIVE. No more worrying about whether or not God would still love me if I stopped going to church, or if I said a PG rated word. No more questioning God's power and/or Love. But knowing, that If anyone can make a story truly end "happily ever after" it would be the creator of the universe. The One who intricately formed each and every one of us, completely unique in our own ways.
Satan steals, kills, and destroys us, and he uses the false image of "God" to do it. God will BURN you if you don't turn from your evil ways! God is angry because you had that extra candy bar! God only loves you proportionately to your love for Him! No, no, no. God loves you IN SPITE of your hatred of Him. "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Will God listen to His Son?
True abundant life comes when you understand that you cannot out-sin grace. And despite what you may think, you don't sin more. You actually have a stronger and more genuine motivation to change others' lives. When God chooses to open your eyes to the amount of love He pours out into you, you can't stop it from overflowing and reaching others.
(* as long as you obey the 10 commandments, don't look at a girl ever, don't go over the speed limit in any circumstance, don't pop your gum loudly, chew with your mouth closed, pray only if you wash your hands, tell everyone else your sins, give me 10% of your money, go to church even if you are sick, etc. etc...)
