"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known... this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-24)
I did not used to think that I was a sinner. I wasn't a murderer, I went to church on Sunday. I was a good person. But this verse tells us that ALL have sinned. The prophet Isaiah tells us "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags." Paul told the Romans that there is no one righteous, not even one. So, what's a person to do?
"When a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Romans 4:4-5)"this righteousness comes from God for all who believe through faith in Jesus Christ". Jesus came to earth to die as a sacrifice for our sins. God sent His Son to bear all the sins of humankind - past, present, and future. We are now free from our bondage to sin.
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6)
Our sins are forgiven because of what Jesus did. God loves us so much that he took the very life of His Son as a ransom - a payment for the wicked, sinful things we do. We do not deserve it. It is a gift. We have been justified (God's act of mercy in which He declares believing sinners righteous, while they are still in their sinning state) through faith in Jesus. We are saved by Grace, through faith.
Jesus came for the sinners. You and I. 2.000 years ago, He came to earth to reconcile us to God by payment of our sins by His death on the cross. He rose again to life and today He is is still alive and active. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is rest for weary and power for the weak. He is the perfect lamb of God and He came to cleanse us from our sins. We can not "do better". We can only give it to Him and receive His free gift. We are forgiven because of what He did. We are made right with God because of what He did. We are transformed moment by moment into His perfect image as He cleanses us and imputes His righteousness into our souls. It's His work, it's why He came.
What can wash away my sins? NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:17-18)
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November 22, 2010
November 18, 2010
The Gardener, The Vine and the Branches
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit... (John 15:1,5)
Without God's help, we are powerless to heal our pain and transform our ingrained patterns. We can not control the process of healing and transformation. We think we can. We try with all our might. We fail and then condemn ourselves and end up in a worse place! The rest of John 15:5 says "apart from me you can do nothing". We must stay attached to the vine. We need to be rooted and grounded in God's love. Being "rooted" means supported, grounded, and fixed firmly. A plant does not produce its best flowers or fruit unless it has its roots firmly planted. This takes special care, a rooting solution, extra water, and careful observation that all is well. Once a plant is rooted, it is kept strong by its roots. When we are rooted to Christ Jesus, our nourishment comes from him. Our transformation comes from his love and grace. Our job is too stay "rooted" or connected to Him. We submit ourselves to the process and we get the nutrients God provides, we endure the weeding and pruning and we absorb the water and sunlight of his love, grace and truth.
Many times we want to hurry through the growing process but just as a plant begins as a seed, so does our healing. Just as the soil needs to be prepared and nurtured, so do we. The Holy Spirit begins a good work in us and guides us in all truth (1 John 16:13). He is our constant companion and indwelling source of comfort and power. He awakens us to our sinfulness and broken state. He stirs and agitates us as HE prepares our soul for the grace and love of Jesus. As we receive this life giving nourishment and submit to the process, God will produce a harvest. We can not will healing or growth; like a growing plant, with the right ingredients, it happens.
"just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6-7)
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Without God's help, we are powerless to heal our pain and transform our ingrained patterns. We can not control the process of healing and transformation. We think we can. We try with all our might. We fail and then condemn ourselves and end up in a worse place! The rest of John 15:5 says "apart from me you can do nothing". We must stay attached to the vine. We need to be rooted and grounded in God's love. Being "rooted" means supported, grounded, and fixed firmly. A plant does not produce its best flowers or fruit unless it has its roots firmly planted. This takes special care, a rooting solution, extra water, and careful observation that all is well. Once a plant is rooted, it is kept strong by its roots. When we are rooted to Christ Jesus, our nourishment comes from him. Our transformation comes from his love and grace. Our job is too stay "rooted" or connected to Him. We submit ourselves to the process and we get the nutrients God provides, we endure the weeding and pruning and we absorb the water and sunlight of his love, grace and truth.
Many times we want to hurry through the growing process but just as a plant begins as a seed, so does our healing. Just as the soil needs to be prepared and nurtured, so do we. The Holy Spirit begins a good work in us and guides us in all truth (1 John 16:13). He is our constant companion and indwelling source of comfort and power. He awakens us to our sinfulness and broken state. He stirs and agitates us as HE prepares our soul for the grace and love of Jesus. As we receive this life giving nourishment and submit to the process, God will produce a harvest. We can not will healing or growth; like a growing plant, with the right ingredients, it happens.
"just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6-7)
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
November 16, 2010
The Love of Christ
"that you may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:18)
Paul wants us to know "the love of Christ" - a love that "surpasses knowledge". "this is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10) "the life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)
Our nature before we know the love of God is a nature of selfishness, pride and rebellion. God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to cleanse us from our sins (Isaiah 53:5) making us "white as snow." (Psalm 51:7) "It is by grace you have been saved". (Eph 2:8) We are changed by God's unmerited, undeserved favor (grace) and his amazing love. We are chosen (Eph 1:4), redeemed (1:7,) sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13), made alive with Christ (2:5), and put back in to right relationship with God. This is "the love of Christ".
So how does one "grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love of Christ"? WE CHOOSE HIM. Through faith, we come boldly to the throne to receive. We come helpless and empty and ask him to "open the eyes of our heart" (Eph 1:18). We receive God by faith. Active faith is a commitment of mind and heart. We ask him to "strengthen us with his power through his spirit in our inner being (3:16). We pray that he fill us "to the measure of all the fullness of God" (3:19). We come with open arms receiving God's gift through faith. God's love is unending and those who open their lives to it will be filled. Those who open their arms and receive love are forever blessed. They will not only receive God's love; they will become love-bearers themselves.
Father God, you are love. Thank you for loving us. While we were living in the ways of this world, your great love chose us. Today we choose to come to you as little children. Our hearts open to receive. We desire to know the depth of your unending love. A love that can only be found through faith. We submit our mind, spirit and body to you, O Lord. Your love cleanses us and gives us new life. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we might know you and your indescribable gift of love. We come boldly, yet humbly to your throne in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ who loved us and came to make us white as snow. Who came to shine your love and grace in our hearts. Amen
Paul wants us to know "the love of Christ" - a love that "surpasses knowledge". "this is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10) "the life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)
Our nature before we know the love of God is a nature of selfishness, pride and rebellion. God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to cleanse us from our sins (Isaiah 53:5) making us "white as snow." (Psalm 51:7) "It is by grace you have been saved". (Eph 2:8) We are changed by God's unmerited, undeserved favor (grace) and his amazing love. We are chosen (Eph 1:4), redeemed (1:7,) sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13), made alive with Christ (2:5), and put back in to right relationship with God. This is "the love of Christ".
So how does one "grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love of Christ"? WE CHOOSE HIM. Through faith, we come boldly to the throne to receive. We come helpless and empty and ask him to "open the eyes of our heart" (Eph 1:18). We receive God by faith. Active faith is a commitment of mind and heart. We ask him to "strengthen us with his power through his spirit in our inner being (3:16). We pray that he fill us "to the measure of all the fullness of God" (3:19). We come with open arms receiving God's gift through faith. God's love is unending and those who open their lives to it will be filled. Those who open their arms and receive love are forever blessed. They will not only receive God's love; they will become love-bearers themselves.
Father God, you are love. Thank you for loving us. While we were living in the ways of this world, your great love chose us. Today we choose to come to you as little children. Our hearts open to receive. We desire to know the depth of your unending love. A love that can only be found through faith. We submit our mind, spirit and body to you, O Lord. Your love cleanses us and gives us new life. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we might know you and your indescribable gift of love. We come boldly, yet humbly to your throne in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ who loved us and came to make us white as snow. Who came to shine your love and grace in our hearts. Amen
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