Cursed—what a terrifying reality. This is when we are apart from Christ and are cut off from God’s blessing. Left to ourselves, we break the law of God and bring His judgment upon us. Once we have sinned against God, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves righteous. To be under a curse is certain judgment.

Redeemed—God does not give us what we deserve. His love is too great, his mercy unending. However, righteousness demands justice, so God in Christ took our curse upon himself. The horror of holy judgment was placed upon him. He took all of it—as the old hymn says, “My sin, not in part, but the whole…”1 Let your soul feel the weight of God’s grace and the magnitude of his kindness. Pause to thank Jesus today for your redemption. What a precious gift He has given to those who receive it with faith.

How can you live with more gratitude for what Jesus has done to save you?