The Secret to Strength in Perilous Times

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE DAY JESUS TOOK YOUR PLACE.

Paul writes, “Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2, my italics). Here is one of the greatest promises in God’s Word: “Christ, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Jesus didn’t die simply for good people. He died for sinners. He loved us when we were still his enemies, reprobate and in darkness. Why does he love sinners? Because he knows he can cleanse us, give us new hearts and bless us with eternal life. He takes even the worst of sinners — the chief of sinners, as Paul called himself — and makes them clean, able to stand on Judgment Day with exceeding great joy.

All mankind was dead in trespasses and sins. All were under the curse of the law, all were guilty of innumerable sins, all were without innocence before a just and holy judge. The judgment then was, “The soul that sins shall die!”

Thank God for the day when Jesus offered himself as a sacrificial Lamb. He made himself the offering for the sins of all. On that day over 2,000 years ago, he took your place and mine — and he took on our sins. We would have perished, but Jesus stood by us and said, “Come, hide in me. Stand under my wings. I will plead your cause at the judgment.” God did not spare his Son; Jesus paid the full price of justice for our sins. He told the Father, “Lo, I come to do thy will…Whatever is required, I will pay. Let this one go free.”

YET I ASK YOU: WHAT ABOUT SINS AFTER WE FIRST BELIEVED? When we sin against light, does the Lord still love us? Does he still give himself for us? Does he continue to take our place at the judgment? How deep, how wide, are the love and grace of Christ?

Some who are reading this have fallen into sin. Indeed, there are multitudes who have sinned against great light. Many are repentant, with sincere, godly sorrow, but they can’t believe Jesus still loves them. They’re convinced God simply can’t use them. To these I offer the example of Peter, who sinned against the greatest light. This man denied the very Son of God. Though he wept bitter tears and had a broken spirit and contrite heart, Peter couldn’t believe the Lord would still use him again. He went back to his fishing career, thinking it was all over for him after so great a sin.

Beloved, the question about Peter was never, “Does Jesus still love him? Will he be Peter’s advocate at the judgment?” The question was, as Jesus said, “Peter, do you still love me? Then feed my sheep. Get back to my work. You are headed for Pentecost.”

“God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, my italics). God’s throne is a throne of grace! We are told to come there boldly with confidence. It is at his throne of mercy that we begin to comprehend the fullness of his love. He will pardon us, strengthen us and do exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think (see Ephesians 3:12–20).

What is our Lord’s attitude toward his lost sheep? Even to those who have gone astray? He goes after them, every one. He seeks to restore them and bring them to safety. Then he holds them tenderly in his arms and rejoices over them. Beloved, he does that for you — loving you and giving himself for you.

Thank you for standing alongside us to reach the poor and needy throughout the world. For information on our many missions outreaches, visit www.worldchallenge.org/missions. God bless you.

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON

DW:bbm 9.28.09