Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Romans 5:15

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

We have reached the stressful part of the golf season. It seems every club is having its invitational, member guest, member member, and club championship within a span of six weeks. The costs add up – $150 here, $200 there, and another $200 to a couple other places. The worst part of playing in the tournaments is setting up a doable schedule without conflicts and sending out the checks for entry fees. The easy part is showing up to play and enjoying the fellowship with friends while doing something we love. Such was the same for God. The hardest part for Him was giving up his only son to die on the cross so that we may have eternal salvation. I can’t imagine the sacrifice, pain and agony but he knew from the beginning the plan was to be necessary. The granting of our personal salvation was the easy part of the sacrifice. The cost was already paid over 2,000 years ago and the blood on the receipt has yet to dry. There is nothing worse than paying an entry fee weeks ahead, then the wife informs you that she booked the family’s beach vacation for the same week. Jesus must feel the same waste when a lost sinner fails to claim the already “paid for” salvation. Christ died for man while he was in enmity and against God without any strength. The justification the believer obtains through salvation provides us an even greater abundant hope that we will inherit the glory and peace through Christ. This strength and provision by and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is worthy of praise every day!