What’s The Worst You Have Done?

Many of us have a bad habit of comparing ourselves to others.  I’m not talking about fair comparisons here.  I’m talking about comparing the worst part of our lives with the best of other people’s lives.  We compare our worn out furniture with the new sofa a friend shares on Facebook.  Even worse, we compare our past with the good we know of someone else.  Then we ask ourselves, “How could God possibly love a sinner like me?”

Last night, in The Grace Life Bible Study, we read two scriptures that I believe will help so many people if they can grasp what happened here.  “Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.” (Ephesians 4:8)  “… He led captivity captive” is a quote from Psalm 68:18, which states, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive:  thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the  LORD God might dwell among them.” (Bold added by me for emphasis.)

This is speaking of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  When Jesus died on the cross, He descended into Hell in order to do two things:  Show Satan Who’s the Boss, and give the biggest salvation message in history.  Before Jesus’ sacrifice, there was no hope for anything more than “Abraham’s Bosom:” a holding place away from the torment of Hell until the Messiah completed His mission.  Jesus led all who were held captive by the devil out of there.  There are a few scriptures which allude to what happened.  This leaves some of the story a mystery.

One thing jumped out to me: “… for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.” Who benefited the most from this?  My thought is Adam.  You may ask, why?  Well, I’m glad you asked.  Yes, Adam’s sin seems simple and minor compared to what occurred in  Greek, Roman, and modern times. However, Adam’s rebellion against God’s Word was the domino which began a cascade taking man from God’s image and likeness to sinners in need of a Savior.  Adam chose to disobey God.  Eating the fruit was not the sin, it was rebellion against His Word.

Adam rebelled.  His firstborn son murdered his second son.  Mankind quickly spiraled out of control.  Read the commandments God gave Israel.  Not just the Big Ten, but all of the 613 Laws.  There is a reason for each of them:  people were committing these acts.  It all started with Adam’s choice to rebel.

When Jesus asked, “Who wants to come with me?” I believe Adam was the first in line.  I believe his torment was going from the Garden to the outside world while watching mankind murder, rape, and pillage for his 930 years.  Then, in Sheol,  he was reminded of what he had started for what I’m sure felt like an eternity.  I’m sure, he missed his daily walks with God in the cool of the day.

Jesus offered to take the rebellious also, that He might dwell among them.  Wow!  We can’t sit around and compare our worst moments to someone else’s best (or vise versa).  All any of us can do is say, “Thank You Jesus!” Thank You for Your unconditional, unmerited, undeserved, unlimited Grace, Love, and Forgiveness.  His sacrifice was enough for ALL sin:  Past, Present, and Future.  He emptied out Hell on day one.  What makes you think He doesn’t love you enough to forgive your sins?