Come Just As You Are:

A Lowly Beggar Under The Wrath Of Almighty God

By Joel Sexton

" We are beggars. This is True."

- Dr. Martin Luther-

[Luther's Table Talk]

The Gospel, in a nutshell is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1Cor 15:1-4) The Gospel
of our "Salvation" [Rom 1:16]

Gospel means "Good News." The good news is that Jesus took upon himself God's wrath for
OUR sin. He was treated as we deserved, that we might be treated as He deserved. He died our
DEATH, so that we might have His "Righteousness" (2 Cor 5:21). The Great Exchange, his death
and holiness for our sin!

Not only by Death. But also Jesus eternal God came down to earth in his Incarnation (becoming
man), born of a woman, lived a perfect life in accordance with the law. Died a substitutionary
death in the place of mankind. Raised from the dead on the third day securing death over the
grave for those that would believe, those that would receive. John record's John the Baptist
during his ministry stating, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not
obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”" [Jn 3:36]

This in a similar vein is asserted by Paul in His letter to the Church at Ephesus that we are by "By
nature children of wrath,." [Eph 2:4a] This is the dilemma of mankind.

Eternal Life Is A Free Gif

It is vitally important to understand we have NOTHING to offer to God for our eternal life but our
sin! We receive it with an empty hand as a "FREE GIFT" CAN'T BE EARNED! We come as to God
as beggars with nothing but an empty hand to receive the free gif of eternal life, through the
blood of Christ, shed in our place.

Standing Before the Judge

The sinner must recognize the awesome Holiness of God and his hatred for sin, thought word
and deed. His wrath is on all mankind for their utter failure to keep God's Law. [Rom 1:18; Rom
3:9-20; Eph 2:4; 4-6]. Christ died for the "helpless (Rom 5:6). God cannot over look sin and His
broken law because of His Justice and Holiness. Satisfaction must be meet, so Jesus became a
""Propitiation" for us. This means by his sacrifice on the cross he satisfied God's justice and
wrath fully in our place. Thus, God does not compromise His justice, It is met fully when He
poured our His fury upon Christ in our place. [Rom 3:24-26].

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ'' [Rom 5:1]

Once one has faith in Christ, believes the Gospel, God "justifies" us. He decalares us as not only
not guilty before His throne but sees us as completely without sin. Our sins have been covered
by the blood of Christ. As a result we have "peace" with God. The idea is not two nations ending
hostility but we have TRUE peace with God our maker for the sake of His dear Son. Again, "And
through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His
cross." [Col 1:20] We have been Reconciled to the Father by the cross. Our sin seperates us from
God. That is why we need a Sustitute. Someone who has lived a sinless life to the Law of God,
and who by His death satisfies the Justice of God. And by FAITH ALONE Christ's perfect life and
death has been credited to my account. God sees Christ, not my sin!

The Results of Being Declared Not Guilty and Righteouess

In [Rom 5:-11] Paul assures us we have the verdict RIGHT NOW for the last judgment, when we
stand in the awesome presence of God. The only way one can do so is if one is clothed in the
Righteousness of Christ. Like snow covering a dunghill. God does not see the sin of the one that
trust's in Christ alone for their salvation. Not guilty is the pronouncement for the sake of His son!

If we recognize our plight in sin and are bound to it, and deserve nothing but the wrath of God.
But of we trust in Christ, that He bore our sins in our stead and was raised defeating death for us,
we have passed from "death to life". We are born again! Saved child of God adopted into the
Covenant Family of God (Rom4; Gal3)

This truly is "Good News!"