This morning, as our praises filled the room, thoughts of the gospel filled my mind. There happened to be someone attending our church today who openly apposes Jesus and I caught myself thinking; “finally, the gospel will be ‘shared’ with someone on Sunday morning.” My erroneous reasoning was swiftly greeted from The Lord with “my Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16 ESV). My heart was reminded that the Gospel is sufficient not only for justification, but for sanctification and glorification as well! The Gospel isn’t done working in my life or anyone’s life for that matter. It remains active and when I assume that any person needs it anymore than I, it highlights my gross misunderstanding of its sufficiency!
Friends, let us remember that the gospel works as much in the life of a believer as it does in the life of the unbeliever.
As we kick off Advent season with a disappointing, or perhaps gratifying, Vikings-Packers showdown, I can’t help but find myself contemplating the “reason for the season.” For we (who claim the blood of Jesus Christ as propitiation for our sins) ought to find great excitement in all that the Advent represents. “Adventus” or “coming” has the power for the re-invigoration of gratitude and dedication to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Advent represents not only the passing of a seasonal Holiday, but much more! From the prophetic promise of salvation through the glorious restoration, the birth of the messiah marks a moment in time that declares the hope of an eternity.
“Father, let us not miss the birth of the messiah for jingle bells and mistletoes.”
When we hear the word “masterpiece,” what is it that populates your mental picture frame? Perhaps a well-known painting by a master painter like Van Gogh, or perhaps your favorite song by a skilled band.
If I were to answer that question on the fly, free of context, likely I would think the same, but with our third child possibly only moments away, a child comes to mind. A child is masterfully crafted with fear and wonder in the womb of a woman (Psalm 139:14), doesn’t this constitute as “masterpiece?”
This week, let your thinking be challenged. God took the time to knit you in the womb and hand select your personality, and He will be faithful to turn us into His masterpieces, if we allow.
Beneath every thought, word and deed are two fundamental perspectives; our understanding of God and understanding of self. For we who claim the name of Jesus Christ, if we allow ourselves to be deceived and think God and self are both trivial or insignificant, we do a great disservice to God and man alike.
If we think too low of God and too highly of self, pride rears its ugly head. Yet, if we think highly of God but too low of self, we misalign ourselves with the value God places on His new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
It is imperative that we not only comprehend our identity in Christ, but that we contemplate it daily. Our challenge this week is to press into our identity in Christ!
