John 9:31

John 9:31 – We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His will.

Thank God we are no longer sinners. Through Christ we have been saved, redeemed and made holy before God. We are His children.

Before we knew Christ we were sinners. Our hearts and minds were so corrupt that God would not listen to us. Really He couldn't listen to us, because when He would look at us all He would see is sin. But then He sent His Son Jesus. Christ was the sacrifice that took away all sin and cleansed us.

Once we receive Christ we become a new creation, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Jesus blood washes us and cleanses us so we can stand before God.

In this verse Jesus tells us that God listens to the godly man who does His will. Once you have received Christ in your life that is you. Now, just to clarify, just because you are godly doesn't mean you are perfect, and just because you may mess up it does not mean you are ungodly.

Your righteousness and godliness has nothing to do with your actions, but Christ’s and your choice to follow Him. You may mess up occasionally, but the important thing to remember is that sin no longer defines your life. That is not who you are any more.

You are righteous and holy; you are God’s child and God hears your prayers. Anything you say, whenever you speak to Him, He will hear you and He will answer. Your life is changed.

Now that we have received this change in our lives we must renew our mind to it. Many of us have been conditioned to think of ourselves as sinners, but that is no longer who we are. God does not listen to sinners, but He listens to us.

Mark 15:37

Mark 15:37 – With a loud cry He breathed His last.

Jesus cried out and then breathed His last. That was the end, or so they thought. As the crowds were watching this happen they did not understand the significance of this moment. They did not know that this was the turning point for the fight of the believer.

       This moment is the starting point for which our faith stands. Without Jesus death we would have no hope or future. He took our sin, He took our pain; He took everything upon Himself so that we could be made righteous.

Sometimes I think we fail to understand or appreciate all that Christ did for us. Here’s the thing we need to remember: Christ didn't need to die. He was perfect and already had it made. There was nothing in His life that could separate him from God. He was sin free and righteous.

It was all of us that could not make it on our own. We all deserved death because we were sinful and unrighteous. Our lives were not right with God and we needed a miracle. Jesus became that miracle. Being perfect He chose to be the sacrifice that was needed. ‘He who knew no sin became sin for us.’

       As we look upon this moment when Jesus gave up His life we must realize that He gave it all up for us. He didn't need too, but He chose too. As He looked at our lives He knew there was no other way for us to enter the kingdom of God.

His Love for us gave Him the strength He needed to endure the pain, suffering and death and ultimately separation from God. Then God resurrected Him and now He is in each one of us in the form of the Holy Spirit. Because of His sacrifice we are made righteous and holy before God.