Occasionally, I will remember something that I've heard or read hundreds of times, usually something from God's Word, and it will strike a tone that resonates very loudly in my mind and heart. Usually, it is so simple that it almost seems silly. Usually, it's the simple message of the gospel... I am forgiven of all my sins.
As I read yesterday, "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered," (Psalm 32), I realized how all-over-the-place my heart has been, my hopes turning from this to that, almost every hour, looking for something better, forgetting how blessed I am!
No wonder Paul has to remind Timothy, his disciple who was already pastoring a church, "Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead..." I Timothy 2:8. I believe, based on this and all my experiences trying to get to know Jesus better, that in 50 years I will have the same conflict. A conscious decision needs to be made, and must be made, to remember Jesus, his life, his work, his death, his love, his power.
When I REALLY pause and ponder the facts, they are outrageously more interesting, stimulating, and motivating than anything else I tend to give my heart to. I was living in rebellion to God, spiritually dead, but he brought me to life and showed me the cross, the way by which God's son came to rescue helpless rebels like me. Embracing this faith, and embracing the King himself, Jesus, I am made right with him and with my Father; I receive, as a free gift, his record in place of mine. His record covers mine. I am covered, forever.
AND MORE! I become doubtful and wonder, sometimes unaware that I'm doing so, "Is this real? Does it really work like this? Was he really God in the flesh?" Instead of being ashamed that I would have such thoughts, I can acknowledge them, examine them, and truly put them to the test. Perhaps the most important and convincing test is that letter in the New Testament, First John, which was written to the early church "so that you may know that you have eternal life." How could they, and more importantly, how can I know I am covered? If my life has changed, and is changing still, perhaps at varying rates and degrees in different seasons of life, so that I am living and loving and serving and resembling more and more Jesus, then I have evidence that it is real. I am really covered, forever, accepted joyfully by my Father God. Nothing and no one is a greater blessing of mine.
Word. So often my flesh tells me of all the things I should do or should not have done so that I give in to despair. But then God gently reminds my soul of the gospel, and there is nothing else to do but fall on my knees and praise the forever faithful Savior.
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