"While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” - Jesus (John 9:5)
There was this exercise that I did with Youth Groups once upon a day, that was designed to teach them empathy and understanding to those in our society who must live with physical disabilities. Each young person would receive some type of device that would impede either one of their senses, or their ability to walk/ use their arms and hands (you get the idea). They would then have to try to live their life, either for the duration of the meeting, or for the duration of the day (during a weekend retreat). While they were temporarily "disabled" some of the other young people (who were not disabled) were tasked to help them get by.
I can vividly remember one instance when I took part and was given the "disability" of blindness. I was fitted with a very snug blindfold that did not let in even one hint of light. I can't tell you how difficult it was to get around and even accomplish simple tasks, let alone find my way. Even with my "guide," who I think secretly enjoyed watching me walk into things, I left that experience frustrated with none too many bruises and bumps.
For a leader it was very difficult to have to be led. For one used to seeing and moving freely it was very frustrating to stumble around in the dark.
The Bible describes our life on earth so entrenched in sin as people stumbling around in the darkness. We may not realize it, because for many it is the only life we know. Yet, that is what we do, we grope and feel our way through life, desperately seeking direction and the way to salvation, joy and peace. Our blind search always ends in futile frustration, complete with assorted bumps and bruises. The cold hard fact is that on our own, stumbling in the dark, we can never find our way.
Thanks be to God - Jesus is the way. He is the light of the world. When one puts their faith in Him to guide their life, He miraculously removes our spiritual blindness and deftly guides us towards salvation, joy and peace.
No one needs to experience the hurtful life of stumbling through life blindly. The light of the world is still in the world, through the power of His Spirit, promising to never leave nor forsake us. Anyone can have their blindfold removed, and no one can do it themselves. A courageous step of faith into the light of Jesus is all one needs.
I was so thankful when I was able to take off that blindfold and see again...I am so thankful that Jesus removed my spiritual blindfold and blessedly enabled me to see His paths of righteousness.
Be God's, Scott
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Living In The Light
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." Ephesians 5: 8-10
Our world is filled with amazing creations of the Lord. His creative brilliance is especially seen in the animal kingdom. I find the diversity and uniqueness pretty awesome. In fact, we stand amazed at all of the splendid species that we have discovered, yet there are many other undiscovered species living and thriving that we have yet to encounter. Many of these creatures are in spots that we cannot yet access - like the deep dark places of the earth and sea.
These species that live in the dark places of the world are pretty remarkable. God created them in such a way that they would be able to live in a place with little (hardly any really) light. Certain mammals will have huge eyes and retinas to allow as much light as possible in. Certain sea creatures of the deep will possess phosphorescent qualities to their bodies that give them a translucent glow. Other animals are given greater sensitivity to things like sound or touch to allow them to compensate for the lack of vision.
Now, despite the amazing ability to adapt that God has blessed His creatures with - a subterranean creature with retinas the size of softballs would have a very difficult time surviving and existing if suddenly thrust into the bright terrain of a Florida beach. Their first instincts are to do that which they know, and have always done. The bright light would be a huge shock to their whole system. Truth be told, they would likely die if such an environment change were to happen.
We are pretty amazing creatures too. God made us to live in the light of His holiness and righteousness - to do that which is good and true and holy. Yet, we struggle to live in the light, don't we? That's because the natural instincts God made us with got skewed and broken the moment sin entered the world. We were all born with a natural tendency to a life of darkness. We are creatures built and equipped for a habitat of light, yet trying to get by in a habitat of complete darkness. As you might imagine, if we don't change habitats, we will die - no amount of human adaptation can save us.
Thanks be to God, Jesus died to save us from the darkness. Through His death and resurrection we have been delivered into the light of life - our originally intentioned instincts towards righteousness restored. Through Christ we now walk in the light of the Lord, just as we were made to.
This restoration is our salvation - we are now fully able to be and do good, true, and holy things again. Oh, but we got used to our old destructive dark living, didn't we? Sometimes these habits are hard to break.
Yet through Christ, and the strength of His Spirit we can overcome these sinful temptations and choices. He has, He is, and He will deliver us into the goodness of His light.
Live as children of the light.
Be God's, Scott
Our world is filled with amazing creations of the Lord. His creative brilliance is especially seen in the animal kingdom. I find the diversity and uniqueness pretty awesome. In fact, we stand amazed at all of the splendid species that we have discovered, yet there are many other undiscovered species living and thriving that we have yet to encounter. Many of these creatures are in spots that we cannot yet access - like the deep dark places of the earth and sea.
These species that live in the dark places of the world are pretty remarkable. God created them in such a way that they would be able to live in a place with little (hardly any really) light. Certain mammals will have huge eyes and retinas to allow as much light as possible in. Certain sea creatures of the deep will possess phosphorescent qualities to their bodies that give them a translucent glow. Other animals are given greater sensitivity to things like sound or touch to allow them to compensate for the lack of vision.
Now, despite the amazing ability to adapt that God has blessed His creatures with - a subterranean creature with retinas the size of softballs would have a very difficult time surviving and existing if suddenly thrust into the bright terrain of a Florida beach. Their first instincts are to do that which they know, and have always done. The bright light would be a huge shock to their whole system. Truth be told, they would likely die if such an environment change were to happen.
We are pretty amazing creatures too. God made us to live in the light of His holiness and righteousness - to do that which is good and true and holy. Yet, we struggle to live in the light, don't we? That's because the natural instincts God made us with got skewed and broken the moment sin entered the world. We were all born with a natural tendency to a life of darkness. We are creatures built and equipped for a habitat of light, yet trying to get by in a habitat of complete darkness. As you might imagine, if we don't change habitats, we will die - no amount of human adaptation can save us.
Thanks be to God, Jesus died to save us from the darkness. Through His death and resurrection we have been delivered into the light of life - our originally intentioned instincts towards righteousness restored. Through Christ we now walk in the light of the Lord, just as we were made to.
This restoration is our salvation - we are now fully able to be and do good, true, and holy things again. Oh, but we got used to our old destructive dark living, didn't we? Sometimes these habits are hard to break.
Yet through Christ, and the strength of His Spirit we can overcome these sinful temptations and choices. He has, He is, and He will deliver us into the goodness of His light.
Live as children of the light.
Be God's, Scott
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Pigpen
"Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever." Psalm 23: 6
You all remember Pigpen from the Charlie Brown (Peanuts) comics, right? He was the little boy who didn't enjoy the finer points of personal hygiene and bathing (as little boys are want to do). As a result, he walked around with a little dirt cloud surrounding and following him everywhere he went. Thus the name Pigpen.
We may be made of cleaner countenance than Pigpen (well most of us) when it comes to our bathing habits. And, we may not have a cloud of dirt following us around, but...
Sometimes I wonder if we are not too different than Pigpen. The only difference being the type of cloud that follows us around. Our dust cloud is not dirt, but all of the junk from our past that we often cling onto, often for the express purpose of beating ourselves up. Our past mistakes follow us around - an ever present reminder of our brokenness and our fallibility. Even the knowledge that Jesus has forgiven us, isn't enough for us to forgive ourselves. Our dirt follows us for the rest of our lives.
Only, it doesn't have to...
What if we could leave our junk from the past, in the past? What if we could lose the guilt, and free ourselves from stench of our mistakes from an earlier life? What if instead of having our cloud of sin and guilt follow us for the rest of our life - goodness and love followed us all the days of our life?
A thorough scrubbing from Jesus' forgiveness is really all we need. Once He forgives our past - the slate is wiped clean (and so are we). He doesn't see a sin cloud surrounding us when He gazes upon us, but a cloud of righteousness. And if Christ, who is holy and without sin, saw fit to forgive and clean away our junk...who are we not to forgive ourselves - and simply let go.
Far better to be one who walks through this life followed by a cloud of goodness and love - in fact, that might be exactly the kind of cloud that attracts the attention of others, and leads them to join you as a tenant in the house of the Lord forever.
Be God's, Scott
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever." Psalm 23: 6
You all remember Pigpen from the Charlie Brown (Peanuts) comics, right? He was the little boy who didn't enjoy the finer points of personal hygiene and bathing (as little boys are want to do). As a result, he walked around with a little dirt cloud surrounding and following him everywhere he went. Thus the name Pigpen.
We may be made of cleaner countenance than Pigpen (well most of us) when it comes to our bathing habits. And, we may not have a cloud of dirt following us around, but...
Sometimes I wonder if we are not too different than Pigpen. The only difference being the type of cloud that follows us around. Our dust cloud is not dirt, but all of the junk from our past that we often cling onto, often for the express purpose of beating ourselves up. Our past mistakes follow us around - an ever present reminder of our brokenness and our fallibility. Even the knowledge that Jesus has forgiven us, isn't enough for us to forgive ourselves. Our dirt follows us for the rest of our lives.
Only, it doesn't have to...
What if we could leave our junk from the past, in the past? What if we could lose the guilt, and free ourselves from stench of our mistakes from an earlier life? What if instead of having our cloud of sin and guilt follow us for the rest of our life - goodness and love followed us all the days of our life?
A thorough scrubbing from Jesus' forgiveness is really all we need. Once He forgives our past - the slate is wiped clean (and so are we). He doesn't see a sin cloud surrounding us when He gazes upon us, but a cloud of righteousness. And if Christ, who is holy and without sin, saw fit to forgive and clean away our junk...who are we not to forgive ourselves - and simply let go.
Far better to be one who walks through this life followed by a cloud of goodness and love - in fact, that might be exactly the kind of cloud that attracts the attention of others, and leads them to join you as a tenant in the house of the Lord forever.
Be God's, Scott
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
A Sheep's Life
"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Psalm 23: 1
The image of God as our Shepherd has been a rich and cherished one for many believers over the years - as has this Psalm. Even more so, when one fully understands the job description of an Ancient Palestinian shepherd.
A shepherd's job was to tend to the sheep as they moved and grazed through the sweeping hills of ancient Palestine. They did not pen up their animals as we do today - rather they moved the flock from pasture to pasture in search of good eating and drinking. The sheep, single-mindedly waddled around on their stubby little legs, with heads down, looking only to quench their appetites. It was the job of the Shepherd then, to tend the flock by doing 3 things - Protect the flock, Guide the Flock, and Feed the Flock.
It was a shepherd's job to protect the flock, because the flock could not protect themselves. In fact they would not even be aware of any impending danger, because they were concerned only with feeding their appetite. So the shepherd, with staff and sling in hand, protected the sheep by keeping them together, and watching for predators. No decent shepherd worth his salt would ever lose a sheep on their watch. They would protect each and every sheep from any kind of danger.
It was a shepherd's job to guide the sheep, because sheep walk with their heads down munching away. Eyes on the ground have a hard time seeing the big picture and knowing where to go. Left to there own devices, sheep would wander aimlessly - even into a desert or over a cliff to their destruction. The shepherd knew the best ways to go, and would ensure that all of the sheep in his flock went the right way. Sometimes this meant a swat in the hindquarters from his staff to a sheep headed unwittingly in the wrong direction - but every shepherd took it upon themselves to guide the flock in the correct direction.
It was a shepherd's guide to feed the sheep, because the sheep were unable to feed themselves. Remember there were no pens and troughs for controlled feeding - the sheep needed to be led to a good green pasture in order to fatten them up. That is what the shepherd did. He knew where the good pasture land was and he led his sheep to the feast. He wouldn't be much of a shepherd if he let his flock become malnourished and die. The shepherd fed the sheep.
So, if God is our Shepherd that seems to indicate that we are sheep. In fact the Bible says that "we all, like sheep, have gone astray." We have been walking around aimlessly with our heads down looking to quench our insatiable appetite for sin, and if not stopped and corrected, we will eventually walk ourselves towards our destruction.
Thankfully so, Jesus is our good shepherd, and we shall lack nothing under His care. He chases us down and returns us to the safety of the flock - in fact He gave His life for His sheep. With His power and love, He protects us from any real danger, He leads us into paths of righteousness, and He feeds us with the Word of God. He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
Under the care of our Great Shepherd Jesus, we will truly never be in want for anything.
Be God's, Scott
The image of God as our Shepherd has been a rich and cherished one for many believers over the years - as has this Psalm. Even more so, when one fully understands the job description of an Ancient Palestinian shepherd.
A shepherd's job was to tend to the sheep as they moved and grazed through the sweeping hills of ancient Palestine. They did not pen up their animals as we do today - rather they moved the flock from pasture to pasture in search of good eating and drinking. The sheep, single-mindedly waddled around on their stubby little legs, with heads down, looking only to quench their appetites. It was the job of the Shepherd then, to tend the flock by doing 3 things - Protect the flock, Guide the Flock, and Feed the Flock.
It was a shepherd's job to protect the flock, because the flock could not protect themselves. In fact they would not even be aware of any impending danger, because they were concerned only with feeding their appetite. So the shepherd, with staff and sling in hand, protected the sheep by keeping them together, and watching for predators. No decent shepherd worth his salt would ever lose a sheep on their watch. They would protect each and every sheep from any kind of danger.
It was a shepherd's job to guide the sheep, because sheep walk with their heads down munching away. Eyes on the ground have a hard time seeing the big picture and knowing where to go. Left to there own devices, sheep would wander aimlessly - even into a desert or over a cliff to their destruction. The shepherd knew the best ways to go, and would ensure that all of the sheep in his flock went the right way. Sometimes this meant a swat in the hindquarters from his staff to a sheep headed unwittingly in the wrong direction - but every shepherd took it upon themselves to guide the flock in the correct direction.
It was a shepherd's guide to feed the sheep, because the sheep were unable to feed themselves. Remember there were no pens and troughs for controlled feeding - the sheep needed to be led to a good green pasture in order to fatten them up. That is what the shepherd did. He knew where the good pasture land was and he led his sheep to the feast. He wouldn't be much of a shepherd if he let his flock become malnourished and die. The shepherd fed the sheep.
So, if God is our Shepherd that seems to indicate that we are sheep. In fact the Bible says that "we all, like sheep, have gone astray." We have been walking around aimlessly with our heads down looking to quench our insatiable appetite for sin, and if not stopped and corrected, we will eventually walk ourselves towards our destruction.
Thankfully so, Jesus is our good shepherd, and we shall lack nothing under His care. He chases us down and returns us to the safety of the flock - in fact He gave His life for His sheep. With His power and love, He protects us from any real danger, He leads us into paths of righteousness, and He feeds us with the Word of God. He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
Under the care of our Great Shepherd Jesus, we will truly never be in want for anything.
Be God's, Scott
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Beauty of the Heart
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16: 7
Our culture is obsessed with the outward appearance. The amount of money, time and effort that people spend to have just the right hairstyle, a lean trim muscular figure, perfect white straight teeth, just the right trendy clothing and accessories, young age defying skin tone, etc etc - is mind boggling. Our culture deceives us by telling us that physical beauty is the epitome of being human. We are bombarded with images of beautiful "perfect" looking people on magazine covers, TV and movie screens, and other various advertisements. Beauty is in, and oh, how we painfully try to measure up to these unlikely standards.
And why do we care so much about our outward appearance? I mean, who decided that the things we call beautiful are the standards to shoot for? Who decided that outward appearance would be the means by which we judge each other, or are judged?
Though I have no proof to back it up - I suspect that "beautiful" people have an easier go of it in our world. I would guess that they are given more breaks, and the benefit of the doubt more often than not. All because...it is human nature to judge people on the basis of outward appearance. Regrettably, this is true in our time, just as it was true in Samuel's time, thousands of years ago.
This can be oppressive and disconcerting news for those of us who are not (shall we say) magazine cover material.
Thankfully, God does not operate in the same way as the rest of the world. He does not judge on the outward appearance - what we look like, how old we are, what gender we are, what kind of car we drive.
God looks at the heart.
This means for us, that in order for God to use us, in order for us to be of value in what God is doing for eternity - it is the quality and sincerity of our heart that matters most. And a beautiful heart is one that looks holy and loving like God's own.
The context of the Scripture above is God's selection of David as the next King of Judah. David was the least likely to be chosen of Jesse's sons - he was the youngest (the runt of the litter). In fact, by outward appearances, no one person would have picked David for such an important position as King of God's people (in fact Jesse didn't even invite David to meet with the prophet - he was out in the fields with the sheep). Yet God saw David's heart - he was "one after God's own heart." This is what qualified David to be used and chosen by God.
I wonder what our churches would look like if we spent as much time, effort, and money in tending to the quality of our heart, as we presently do with our outward beauty. I suspect our world would, in turn, become a much more beautiful place to live.
The beauty of the heart is the important and eternal thing - everything else pales in comparison.
Be God's, Scott
Our culture is obsessed with the outward appearance. The amount of money, time and effort that people spend to have just the right hairstyle, a lean trim muscular figure, perfect white straight teeth, just the right trendy clothing and accessories, young age defying skin tone, etc etc - is mind boggling. Our culture deceives us by telling us that physical beauty is the epitome of being human. We are bombarded with images of beautiful "perfect" looking people on magazine covers, TV and movie screens, and other various advertisements. Beauty is in, and oh, how we painfully try to measure up to these unlikely standards.
And why do we care so much about our outward appearance? I mean, who decided that the things we call beautiful are the standards to shoot for? Who decided that outward appearance would be the means by which we judge each other, or are judged?
Though I have no proof to back it up - I suspect that "beautiful" people have an easier go of it in our world. I would guess that they are given more breaks, and the benefit of the doubt more often than not. All because...it is human nature to judge people on the basis of outward appearance. Regrettably, this is true in our time, just as it was true in Samuel's time, thousands of years ago.
This can be oppressive and disconcerting news for those of us who are not (shall we say) magazine cover material.
Thankfully, God does not operate in the same way as the rest of the world. He does not judge on the outward appearance - what we look like, how old we are, what gender we are, what kind of car we drive.
God looks at the heart.
This means for us, that in order for God to use us, in order for us to be of value in what God is doing for eternity - it is the quality and sincerity of our heart that matters most. And a beautiful heart is one that looks holy and loving like God's own.
The context of the Scripture above is God's selection of David as the next King of Judah. David was the least likely to be chosen of Jesse's sons - he was the youngest (the runt of the litter). In fact, by outward appearances, no one person would have picked David for such an important position as King of God's people (in fact Jesse didn't even invite David to meet with the prophet - he was out in the fields with the sheep). Yet God saw David's heart - he was "one after God's own heart." This is what qualified David to be used and chosen by God.
I wonder what our churches would look like if we spent as much time, effort, and money in tending to the quality of our heart, as we presently do with our outward beauty. I suspect our world would, in turn, become a much more beautiful place to live.
The beauty of the heart is the important and eternal thing - everything else pales in comparison.
Be God's, Scott
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Unlikely Witness
7 "When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)"...
27 "Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him." John 4: 7-8,27-30
These verses frame the amazing story of Jesus meeting with the adulterous Samaritan woman at the well. This woman truly had no business talking with Jesus - a. because she was a Samaritan and He a Jew (Samaritans and Jews wanted nothing to do with one another) b. because she was a woman (during the chauvinistic time of this narrative, a male would have regarded giving instruction to a woman a waste of time) c. She was a sexually promiscuous woman (she had had sinful trysts with 5 men, and was likely even shunned by her own people - why else would one be off in the desert heat of high noon all by themselves in order to fill their water jars, when every other woman did so in the cool of the dawn?).
She had no business talking with Jesus...but Jesus not only shared a cup with her, but He also shared the Good News of His coming with her. Jesus did not see a Samaritan, or a Woman, or a Sinner...Jesus saw one of His children in need of a Saviour.
And His time with her made quite an impact (time with Him always makes an impact), because when the disciples returned, she departed for the town boldly witnessing to all, the Good News of Jesus. And, surprise, surprise - people actually came out of the town to see and be with Jesus.
What I find interesting about this story, is that the disciples (all 12 of them) had just returned from the same town, and they didn't have one person following them out to see and be with Jesus. The disciples had also shared a cup with Jesus, and knew the hope of His glory. They had seen His miracles, and listened to Him teach of His love which led to eternal life. They too, (even more so than the Samaritan woman) had a story to bear witness to - and one would think that they would be eager to do so to any and everyone they came into contact with.
Yet they returned to Jesus without anyone following them, while the Samaritan woman's story brought out many. How is it that these "super spiritual" disciples were out witnessed by the town pariah?
I suppose one could argue that the disciples didn't witness at all, because they didn't think they were supposed to do so with the despised Samaritans. However, I think this is a good story from God to remind us that the testimony of anyone, no matter who they are, or what they have done can be effective for Christ.
Sometimes the best witnessing is not done by Pastors, or Theology Professors who have always lived their lives in obedience to Christ...sometimes the best witnessing is accomplished through the humble stories of broken and hurting people so loved by God.
Your story with God is unique, and it is your own - nobody can deny it or take it from you. You do not need a masters in theology to be a witness for Jesus - all you need to do is tell others your story of meeting Him.
May God, through His Spirit empower everyone of us to share our stories, that He might change lives.
Be God's, Scott
27 "Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him." John 4: 7-8,27-30
These verses frame the amazing story of Jesus meeting with the adulterous Samaritan woman at the well. This woman truly had no business talking with Jesus - a. because she was a Samaritan and He a Jew (Samaritans and Jews wanted nothing to do with one another) b. because she was a woman (during the chauvinistic time of this narrative, a male would have regarded giving instruction to a woman a waste of time) c. She was a sexually promiscuous woman (she had had sinful trysts with 5 men, and was likely even shunned by her own people - why else would one be off in the desert heat of high noon all by themselves in order to fill their water jars, when every other woman did so in the cool of the dawn?).
She had no business talking with Jesus...but Jesus not only shared a cup with her, but He also shared the Good News of His coming with her. Jesus did not see a Samaritan, or a Woman, or a Sinner...Jesus saw one of His children in need of a Saviour.
And His time with her made quite an impact (time with Him always makes an impact), because when the disciples returned, she departed for the town boldly witnessing to all, the Good News of Jesus. And, surprise, surprise - people actually came out of the town to see and be with Jesus.
What I find interesting about this story, is that the disciples (all 12 of them) had just returned from the same town, and they didn't have one person following them out to see and be with Jesus. The disciples had also shared a cup with Jesus, and knew the hope of His glory. They had seen His miracles, and listened to Him teach of His love which led to eternal life. They too, (even more so than the Samaritan woman) had a story to bear witness to - and one would think that they would be eager to do so to any and everyone they came into contact with.
Yet they returned to Jesus without anyone following them, while the Samaritan woman's story brought out many. How is it that these "super spiritual" disciples were out witnessed by the town pariah?
I suppose one could argue that the disciples didn't witness at all, because they didn't think they were supposed to do so with the despised Samaritans. However, I think this is a good story from God to remind us that the testimony of anyone, no matter who they are, or what they have done can be effective for Christ.
Sometimes the best witnessing is not done by Pastors, or Theology Professors who have always lived their lives in obedience to Christ...sometimes the best witnessing is accomplished through the humble stories of broken and hurting people so loved by God.
Your story with God is unique, and it is your own - nobody can deny it or take it from you. You do not need a masters in theology to be a witness for Jesus - all you need to do is tell others your story of meeting Him.
May God, through His Spirit empower everyone of us to share our stories, that He might change lives.
Be God's, Scott
Friday, April 1, 2011
Absurd
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5: 6-8
Absurd - "inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense"
Sometimes I wonder if we don't take Christ's death and our salvation for granted - as if it was something Jesus had to do, or that we somehow had it coming regardless. As a result, could it be that we minimize the sacrifice offered up on our behalf? Do we truly comprehend the ludicrous nature of the sacrifice of Jesus?
This brief, yet beautiful passage, shakes us out of our entitlement doldrums, and points us towards the passionate love of God for us in Christ Jesus. It does so, by challenging us to walk for a moment in Jesus' sandals. We are confronted with the hypothetical - would you be willing to sacrifice your life in place of someone else, in order that they might live? Would you willingly lay down your life for another?
Paul's thoughts are that some might (but most likely will not) die in place of a good and noble person in order to save their life. My thoughts are that the human "survive at all costs" instinct is so strong, and our fear of death is so great, that even this choice - dying for one we love and respect - is easier said than done. I'd like to think I would, but I am honest enough with myself to recognize that when push came to shove, I might not.
Paul points out pretty accurately though, that he can't think of any person who would willingly sacrifice their life in order to save another who has done them harm, an enemy, one who has shown nothing but animosity towards them. Truly, who would do such a thing? Absurd, right?
Christ did this very absurd thing...Christ died for the ungodly. He who is holy and good and pure, sacrificed His life so that those (like you and me) who have shown Him nothing but sinful animosity, might live. We have done nothing to deserve this sacrifice, but yet He freely made it for us and our salvation.
If we did nothing to deserve this act, why did He do it?
God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
His sacrifice (his life for ours) came as a result of His great love for us. And only one possessed of an incredibly great and absurd love would ever do such a thing.
May you know today the incredible and absurd love that God has for you, and may His sacrifice lead you towards a life of thanksgiving and worship.
Be God's, Scott
Absurd - "inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense"
Sometimes I wonder if we don't take Christ's death and our salvation for granted - as if it was something Jesus had to do, or that we somehow had it coming regardless. As a result, could it be that we minimize the sacrifice offered up on our behalf? Do we truly comprehend the ludicrous nature of the sacrifice of Jesus?
This brief, yet beautiful passage, shakes us out of our entitlement doldrums, and points us towards the passionate love of God for us in Christ Jesus. It does so, by challenging us to walk for a moment in Jesus' sandals. We are confronted with the hypothetical - would you be willing to sacrifice your life in place of someone else, in order that they might live? Would you willingly lay down your life for another?
Paul's thoughts are that some might (but most likely will not) die in place of a good and noble person in order to save their life. My thoughts are that the human "survive at all costs" instinct is so strong, and our fear of death is so great, that even this choice - dying for one we love and respect - is easier said than done. I'd like to think I would, but I am honest enough with myself to recognize that when push came to shove, I might not.
Paul points out pretty accurately though, that he can't think of any person who would willingly sacrifice their life in order to save another who has done them harm, an enemy, one who has shown nothing but animosity towards them. Truly, who would do such a thing? Absurd, right?
Christ did this very absurd thing...Christ died for the ungodly. He who is holy and good and pure, sacrificed His life so that those (like you and me) who have shown Him nothing but sinful animosity, might live. We have done nothing to deserve this sacrifice, but yet He freely made it for us and our salvation.
If we did nothing to deserve this act, why did He do it?
God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
His sacrifice (his life for ours) came as a result of His great love for us. And only one possessed of an incredibly great and absurd love would ever do such a thing.
May you know today the incredible and absurd love that God has for you, and may His sacrifice lead you towards a life of thanksgiving and worship.
Be God's, Scott
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