Today's Readings: "Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:28-29)
"As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:11-13)
There is a rest offered to both Jew and Gentile alike, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) We can cease from our labors (our own supposed good works under the law) and rest in the work of God that was accomplished in Christ Jesus upon the cross. In Isaiah 40:4;42:16 God promised to “make the crooked way straight” for us. In Mark 10:27 Jesus says, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible. “
One day we will put off this flesh that troubles us so. Yes, we still sin--until He who is without sin comes. But, Christ was made a propitiation for our sin. (Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2; 4:10) Lay down your burden today. Rest in Him. He paid the price. (John 19:28-30) The words Jesus used as he hung dying on the cross were, "It is finished." Finished comes from the greek word "tello" which implies that a specific goal or purpose has been properly and ultimately met. Of course, as believers, we know that that purpose was to bring many sons and daughters to the Father. (Hebrews 2:10) Literally, "tello" can be translated as "paid in full"! Beloved of God, believe! Christ has promised on that day (the day of Christ’s return) we wont’ be ashamed. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man that he should lie”. Cease from your toil and your worry--trust and believe on Christ, the solid Rock today!
The "Great and Marvelous" Work of Christ!
Today's Reading: "...Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." (Revelation 15:3b KJV)
Jesus, friend of sinners (Luke 7:34 ) has become the King of saints. How? His "great and marvelous works", His "just and true ways". Man could never hope to attain to the moral requirements of a just and holy God. Who among us has ever kept His commandments? “There are none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10) Yet, how is it we are called saints? Being human we are sinful from birth (Genesis 8:21) and the just wage of our sin is death (Romans 6:23) But, “great and marvelous are thy works…” God has provided the Way - the Righteous for the unrighteous; the Just for the unjust (John 3:16). The Great Shepherd has become our sacrificial Lamb. The cross? Why, the shame of the cross has become the glory of our salvation! Christ’s own blood was spilled on God’s mercy seat and atonement for our sin was complete (Herbrews 9:1-15)! Once and for all! (Oh, there are two ways of looking at that verse--Jesus's blood was spilled once for all people and once for all our sin. Glory!) Shepherd, Lamb, High Priest, Intercessor! Let us marvel at the cost of our sainthood. What an awesome God we serve! His wisdom is beyond understanding!
Jesus, friend of sinners (Luke 7:34 ) has become the King of saints. How? His "great and marvelous works", His "just and true ways". Man could never hope to attain to the moral requirements of a just and holy God. Who among us has ever kept His commandments? “There are none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10) Yet, how is it we are called saints? Being human we are sinful from birth (Genesis 8:21) and the just wage of our sin is death (Romans 6:23) But, “great and marvelous are thy works…” God has provided the Way - the Righteous for the unrighteous; the Just for the unjust (John 3:16). The Great Shepherd has become our sacrificial Lamb. The cross? Why, the shame of the cross has become the glory of our salvation! Christ’s own blood was spilled on God’s mercy seat and atonement for our sin was complete (Herbrews 9:1-15)! Once and for all! (Oh, there are two ways of looking at that verse--Jesus's blood was spilled once for all people and once for all our sin. Glory!) Shepherd, Lamb, High Priest, Intercessor! Let us marvel at the cost of our sainthood. What an awesome God we serve! His wisdom is beyond understanding!
Love Expressed!
Today's Reading: "Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Love is an action that must be expressed, very much like the act of breathing. Unless love is expressed in action we, and the object of our love will dry up, wither away and die!
Perhaps, love is best illustrated in our relationship with God. God's word says that He loves us--that's good! But, if He had stood by and idly watched as we hopelessly died in our sins--then, hearing about His love would mean nothing to us! It would be love making that dull "thug" sound! (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Much to our great joy, God put His love into action, or expression by sending His very own Son, Jesus Christ! God’s love, expressed in, through and by His own Son, became our sin and shame, and received our death sentence. More, praise God, this same expressive action of love brought us into a right relationship with our Abba, Father! Christ’s death meant our life! Now, that’s love in action! And, as the song goes, "...the pieces fit!"
May each and everyone one of you come to know and experience God's agape love expressed in its fullest revelation--Jesus Christ!
Love is an action that must be expressed, very much like the act of breathing. Unless love is expressed in action we, and the object of our love will dry up, wither away and die!
Perhaps, love is best illustrated in our relationship with God. God's word says that He loves us--that's good! But, if He had stood by and idly watched as we hopelessly died in our sins--then, hearing about His love would mean nothing to us! It would be love making that dull "thug" sound! (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Much to our great joy, God put His love into action, or expression by sending His very own Son, Jesus Christ! God’s love, expressed in, through and by His own Son, became our sin and shame, and received our death sentence. More, praise God, this same expressive action of love brought us into a right relationship with our Abba, Father! Christ’s death meant our life! Now, that’s love in action! And, as the song goes, "...the pieces fit!"
May each and everyone one of you come to know and experience God's agape love expressed in its fullest revelation--Jesus Christ!
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