This post is part of the series The Story of the Stars. Check out the series here. Whenever I see the scales like is depicted in Libra, I tend to think about the judicial system. Scales go back to ancient times as a picture of justice because weight doesn't lie. Justice seeks to have balance between the wrong committed compared to judgement needed, or even against the good in someone's life. I think often when people consider their life they think of it as a balance between their good outweighing their bad. But the scales of Libra tell a different story. When you look at the constellation of Libra, there is a triangle at the top of the scale. The top star (Zuben el Genubi) of the scale is known as "the balance", "the purchase" or "the price deficient". The star on the left corner (Zuben el Chamali) of this triangle is known as "the price that covers" or "the atonement". The star on the right corner (Mulu-Izi) is known as "man on fire". What are the star names telling us? There is price that covers and a price that doesn't. There isn't an in-between. You are either covered by the price or you are a "man on fire" - destined for eternity in hell. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Well, wait a minute, how can you say that? Doesn't God LOVE us? Doesn't God WANT all to be saved? Yes and Yes!! Let me explain... better yet why don't we let Jesus explain. In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." What do you think Jesus is saying there? Is He saying, "Well, as long as you're generally a good person you should be fine" or "As long as you believe in something you get to me"? No. He says, "You want to go to heaven? You want to be with the God who loves you, created you, knows you better than anyone else? You need to know me." Which is very just of Him to do and say! First, because Jesus IS God and lived a completely sinless life AND took on YOUR sin – I think He has say on how HIS sacrifice should be used. Second, if you believed in something different from the One God of the Universe, and you went to be with Him for all of eternity you would be saying, "Hey! I didn't sign up for this!" Jesus' sacrifice and invitation for eternal life is inclusively exclusive. This invitation is extended to all humanity, but not all take it. "But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! ... Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. ... And the gift is not like the one man's sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. … For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." Romans 5: 8, 12, 16, 19 And the decans show an even more to this story! Crux – the cross, now the southern cross since we can't see in the western hemisphere Lupus – the victim (victim who controls his own death, or killed on behalf of Centaurus) Corona – the crown What I LOVE about these decans is that they come together easiest out of all the other constellations and can be explained in one verse! I put the verse before so you can have a more complete picture. "Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. " Hebrews 12:1-2 What is the price of having your sin covered? The perfect life of Jesus sacrificed on a cross and resurrection from the dead. He is IT! And He offers himself freely as a gift, so all can come to this saving knowledge. So how can one receive this gift? "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,' for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 'For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Romans 10:9-13 If you realize that you truly are a sinner, that you are not and will not be a good enough person on your own, and realize that Jesus Christ is our only provision for our sin, then you can talk to God by faith. Here is an example of what to say: Lord Jesus, I realize that I am not a naturally good person. I know I am not perfect. I know that my sin keeps me from knowing you personally. But I want to know you! I see what you did on the cross for me, and I want you in my life not only to save me from hell but to have you as Lord of my life and have a new life with you. Thank you for all that you've done and for the eternal life that you promise to give! I'm ready to follow you. If that describes the desire of your heart, then go ahead! Talk to God. Take that step to a new life with Christ! About Leah![]() Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband.
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