Angels of Humility: A Novel Read Free Page B

Sarah shook her head in agreement.
    “This next Scripture tells us that the wages, or the result, of sin is death. 3 Death is eternal separation from a loving God. But that’s not what God wants; He wants relationship with all His children, including you. The Bible says that He’s not willing that any should perish, 4 but that He came to give
everyone
eternal life. 5 Let me explain this a little more clearly.”
    “Nooooo. I can’t take it,” shrieked Depression, writhing.
    “Because of God’s holiness, He can’t allow sin in His presence. Sin has to be paid for in order for us to be forgiven. Only then can we be in relationship with God.”
    “No, it’s blasphemy. Don’t listen. Don’t listen,” yelled Death.
    “Only a person who is totally righteous can pay for sin. When a sinful human dies, his death doesn’t pay for anything. Death is what he deserves. Remember,
‘the wages of sin is death’ 6 ?
None of us has the ability to pay for our own sins. Because Jesus was sinless, when He voluntarily gave His life on the cross, it actually paid for everyone’s sins. 7
    “Your sins are too bad to ever be forgiven,” screeched Deception. “It’s all a lie.”
    “Accept His sacrifice for your sin and then, in gratitude for the free gift of salvation, dedicate your life to following Him every day. Then He will show you His wonderful, life-giving plans. Isn’t that wonderful news?” he asked with a big smile. “What an incredible gift! He is the God who sacrificed Himself for you.”
    “I always thought we had to earn our way to Heaven by being good enough,” said Sarah.
    “No, we can’t cancel the bad by doing good. Remember, sin has to be paid for. And we don’t live good lives to earn God’s love or to get Him to save us; we live good lives out of gratitude that He saved us as a free gift. Plus, we now have His help to change those sinful habits that we used to be powerless over.”
    As Sarah struggled to understand what all that meant, Malta appeared behind her and repeated what Pastor Hall had just spoken. The angels’voices are not heard with earthly ears, but are apprehended by the human mind as a thought.
    For the first time in her life, Sarah felt the weight of sin she was carrying. She realized that she needed forgiveness. Her strategy of trying to be a good person was woefully lacking compared to God’s standard of holiness.
It hasn’t worked for me so far
.
    “Sarah, would you like to pray and acknowledge Jesus’ death as paying for all your sins?” Sarah nodded her head.
    “Nooo,” screamed Depression. “She’s ours!” Sarah’s affirmation gave Joel the authority he needed to act on her behalf. With one slice of the double-edged sword, he freed Sarah from the demonic torment that was trying to take her life and rob her of her destiny. The demons fled in terror.
    Softly, Sarah said, “Dear Jesus, thank You for dying for my sins so I wouldn’t have to. I give You what’s left of my life and ask You to show me what You want me to do.”
    When Sarah prayed, although she had no way of knowing it, in the spiritual realm she was clothed in a brilliant, glowing white robe of righteousness. Embroidered in glistening white on the sleeves were Sarah’s spiritual gifts—prophecy (hearing from the Lord for other people) and intercession (fervent prayer).
    “This is the same righteousness that Jesus has, as a free gift to you,” said Joel. “Now when Father looks at you, He sees Jesus’ righteousness, provided you continually ask forgiveness for your sins. It’s the most incredible exchange in the world! Your filthy rags of sin 8 are traded for the most costly, most valuable robe of righteousness.”
    “And this,” said Malta, “is the mantle of humility.” He placed a drab brown-colored robe on her that totally covered her glowing white one.
    “Next to the robe of righteousness, this is the most important garment. Don’t ever take it off, Sarah, or you’ll make yourself