Skip to main content

Remembering What We Have

                 The prayers found in the New Testament contain some of the most precious reminders in scripture.  Take 2 Corinthians 13:14 for example: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”.

                Paul begins by focusing on the grace that is found in Christ.  Sometimes, churches shy away from talking about grace because they worry that if it is too prominent then people will not take discipleship seriously.  There is a concern that people will, “Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving” (Romans 6:1). 

                While that danger does exist, we face an even greater problem if we try to alter the message and that is that we have nothing else to offer.  Grace is our message!  The grace of Christ is the only entry point into the blessings of God (John 14:6).  It is the attractive part!  Grace must always be the centrepiece of our teaching.  “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). 

                Paul then prays that they would know the love of God.  In my experience, it is easier for people to believe that God forgives them than it is for them to believe that God loves them.  We can imagine God being coerced to forgive because of the cross, but it is harder to believe that he delights in us.  However, that is exactly what scripture says: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). 

                Lastly, Paul prays that they would know the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit connects us to God and to one another in ways that are deeper and more meaningful than any earthly connection.  There is a reason that we are called God’s family (Ephesians 3:15). 

                This past year has been difficult, and it is easy to think about what we have lost. 

                Maybe it is time to re-focus on what we have and what can never be touched by our ever-changing circumstances.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Don’t Be a Tourist

                  From the moment that God told Abraham to leave his home and follow him (Genesis 12:1-3), God’s people have understood that they are on a journey.                 That being true, the essential question becomes, “How are you making that journey?”   T here are two options: You can be a tourist or you can be a pilgrim.                   Tourists leave their real life behind for a little while so that they can visit another place.   Generally, they travel in groups and do not mix much with the local people.   They hit the highlights of various regions, but they do not really experience what it is like to live in that part of t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Darkness to Light (Colossians 1:9-14)

 Our transition from lost to found is a gift of God. It is because of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice.  However, our growth in that new life is at least partially our responsibility. So, what needs evaluation?  Where should this growth begin? What does it look like to walk in the light? Colossians 1 highlights three starting spots.  https://youtu.be/1nWWWj4awh8  
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: A Spiritual Apgar Score

                  As recently as the 1950s, having a baby was a risky proposition.   One in thirty births ended badly until an anesthesiologist named Virginia Apgar developed a system to rate how newborns were doing.   She focused on five key areas (appearance, pulse, the reflex action or grimace, activity or muscle tone and respiration).   She encouraged doctors and nurses to rate each child on a scale of zero to three for each quality.   A score of 10 or more meant that the baby was healthy; 4 or lower indicated that the baby needed immediate intervention.                While numerous other medical advances have occurred over the years, all agree that Apgar’s rating system had a huge impact. ...
Post a Comment
Read more