Skip to main content

New Article: The Best Story Ever

 


 Michael Lewis, the author of “Moneyball” and “The Blind Side”, once said, “Unless you have a story, you don't have a way to persuade people”.  Stories are powerful.  They help us see and understand what we previously missed.  Sadly, some take the beautiful story of scripture and turn it into lists to memorize and rules to follow.  Fortunately, Colossians 1:21-23 corrects that mistake by retelling the gospel story.

As many good stories do, this one starts with a big problem: “Once you were alienated from God” (verse 21).  Alienated means to be separated or to lose connection.  That is what sin does.  It comes between us and God and destroys the relationship.  Our incorrect thinking and actions cause us to run away from God (also verse 21).  Left to our own devices, our story ends here.  We have no way home.

Fortunately, the next phrase is, “But now”.  Something has changed.  “But now, He (God) has reconciled you” (verse 22).  Reconciled means to be brought back into harmony and relationship.  Note two vital facts.  First, it was God who made things right.  He did what we were unable to do.  Second, he has done this by Christ’s death on the cross (verse 22).  Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).  God is not angry or vengeful.  Rather, he is gracious and compassionate.  “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). 

Lastly, we need to understand that this story is conditional, and our attitude determines its effectiveness.  You are reconciled, “If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel” (verse 23).  Perfection is not required, but perseverance is.  By holding on and growing in our faith, we mature and come to look more like Jesus.  When that happens, we will be ready to go home.

I love this story because (1) it focuses on God and his goodness, not ours, and (2) it is full of hope for everyone!

Perhaps it is time to make this story your story.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Consider This: What is so Great About Grace?

If you were to drive by our house, you would see that Sara loves plants.  Our yard is full of flowers, and Sara lovingly tends every one of them. Which is why I was so afraid when she left town and put me in charge of keeping things alive. She must have been a little concerned, too, because she sent me two videos with specific instructions on how to water, when to water, and what to do.  Honestly, those first two videos helped, but the third one she sent was the one I liked most.  In that one, she said, “Please do your best. I want the yard to look good for the family reunion in two weeks.  However, if something dies, we will dig it out and pretend that it never existed!” That is what grace looks like!  Try your best, do what you can, but if it goes wrong, it will be ok. Sometimes we talk as though grace and effort are opposites.  That is not true.  They are partners. In one place, scripture asks, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone c...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Thanksgiving in Real Time

                    Thanksgiving weekend means that many of us will spend time together with family and friends, eat a lot of food and think about what we are thankful for in our lives.   Unfortunately, after that, most will go back to their normal routines and leave thankfulness behind.                   What would happen if thanksgiving were part of our everyday life, rather than something we focused on a few times per year?   Where would we even start?                 According to Philippians 1:18-26, the apostle Paul remained joyful and thankful, even while imprisoned for his faith, by holding on to three important practic...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do You See the Angel?

          In the gospels, the story of Jesus’ birth is preceded by the prediction of the birth of “John the Baptist”.              John’s father, Zechariah, was a priest at the temple in Jerusalem.   One day, while he was burning incense to God, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John” (Luke 1:13).               This was surprising news to Zechariah and so he asks, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (verse 18).   That is a logical question, right?   I mean, he is asking for a sign so that he can believe something that seems quite unbelievable.   Who would fault him for that?        ...
Post a Comment
Read more