The Overwhelming Reality of Meeting God: Our Desperate Need for Jesus

I woke up this morning to the sound of my alarm at 4:59am. In that split second before I fully woke up, a thought crossed my mind - the realization of standing before a holy God with nothing to commend myself but my own life. The sheer horror of it was overwhelming, but it was quickly replaced by another thought - Jesus Christ died for this very moment.

This momentary glimpse into the reality of meeting God with a guilty conscience is what often leads to conversion. It is in this moment that we see and feel the undeniable truth that we need a Savior. Standing alone with our sinful lives, we are utterly lost. Our only hope for eternity in the presence of God is a Mediator, a Redeemer, a Substitute.

The impact of this vision is devastating. It causes us to truly understand and appreciate the love of Christ. Suddenly, we see with the eyes of our heart the desperate need for Jesus. We realize that without Him, we are doomed. This realization is not just a theological concept or a rational conclusion, but a deep knowing and feeling that cannot be denied.

Our God is a consuming fire. He will not look upon evil. We are completely and utterly lost. In that split second, I felt the weight of my guilt, so massive and real that there is no room for excuses. It was a sudden and all-encompassing darkness, infinitely hopeless.

But then, in that same instant, Jesus becomes everything. O Christ! O Christ! The wave of gratitude overwhelms my heart. The gift of God, my desperate and only need!

The gospel of Jesus Christ shines brightest in moments like these. It is in the face of the judgment that we truly understand the depth of His love and sacrifice for us. He loved us and gave Himself for us. This is the Good News that brings hope and salvation. This is the truth that sets us free from the bondage of sin and guilt.

In the Bible, the apostle Paul expresses this reality in Galatians 2:20, saying, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

These words of Paul resonate with the experience of every believer. We are no longer living for ourselves, but for Christ who lives in us. Our lives are now lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. This truth transforms our lives and gives us a new purpose and identity.

As we meditate on the depth of God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus, we can't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude. We realize that we are undeserving of such love and yet, it is freely given to us. This love compels us to live for Christ, to honor Him with our lives, and to share His love with others.

The reality of standing before a holy God with nothing to commend ourselves is a sobering thought. But it is also a reminder of the incredible love and grace that God has shown us through Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that we are not alone, that we have a Savior who has taken our guilt and given us His righteousness.

In this moment, let us fix our gaze on Jesus. Let us embrace His love and sacrifice. Let us live each day by faith in Him, knowing that He is with us and that His love will never fail us. May our lives be a reflection of His love and may we share this love with the world around us.

As we go about our day, let us remember the words of Paul and make them our own: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Amen.