I have never thought myself to be a culprit in Christ’s death. I know I made a gain from his death and resurrection, but I never wondered what role I played in his death.

I have heard repeatedly that if there was only one sinner, Christ would still have come to die for him. I don’t know how true this is, but having seen the weight sin can place on people, the guilty feeling, the gnawing at their soul, I think if I were the only sinner, I’ll still have wanted a saviour.
The price for redemption is death though. Is it a few worth paying?

Hardly would a friend die for another, so who would be willing to die for someone who seemingly doesn’t know them?
Until I was convicted of my sin, it was impossible to convince me that I needed saving. Yet, at that time, someone else had already given his life for mine. Not knowing if I would take the trade, he went ahead to make the most costly payment ever.

I know the pain I feel when I buy something for someone, then see them misuse or waste it. Now imagine the pain of paying a non-refundable fee for an expensive item, and the “would-be” beneficiary never turns up to accept it.

I have seen soldiers at the point of separation from their families as they leave for duty. Unsure if their spouse would ever return, or return fully, physically or mentally, or return in a coffin.
Witnessing the relief, overflowing emotions, and tears of joy, when a soldier returns from war, that is the easiest way to understand what their family felt when they were leaving, and while they were away.

How do you think God must have felt sending His only begotten Son, knowing he must die, in order to complete his duty?
When Christ cried “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Can you imagine the pain?

The emotional pain of not feeling His Father’s presence, simply because he was bearing the sins of humanity, present and future, at that moment. Or the pain the Father felt, having to look away, because He is too pure to behold iniquity, yet, it was His son bearing it.

Salvation didn’t just cost Christ His blood or His life. It cost him the deepest of emotions, and it cost The Father a price no one should ever have to pay.
The mental anguish, the palpitations, worst of all, knowing some people will still turn down the gift.
It is the height of foolishness to think there is anything to gain by rejecting Christ. I have chosen to accept Him. To live for Him and let Him live through me.

Knowing that I do not have an extra soul with which to pay for my salvation, I give my life to Him, and from here forth, “for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”.
Because when death comes, and I open my eyes in the hereafter, I know I owe no debt, because it has been paid off in the biggest transaction in the history of creation.

Wilson Joshua is a Video Editor, Content Creator, and Creative Writer.
Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. @IJOSWIL

And Can It Be, That I Should Gain Lyrics

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.