Christ

24
Dec
2019

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on April 25, 2015.

“I’m a Christian” – What Does This Mean?

by Kyara Grunst

“I’m a Christian.” This is something I’m sure we would all be willing to say. But let’s ask what our catechism would ask:  What does this mean? What makes us “Christian?” You could say that’s an easy question. Of course it’s Christ that makes us Christian. But again, what does that mean? First, let’s take a look at what Christianity isn’t.

When I think of a Christian, I will admit that I usually think about a person who does good works. I think of someone who donates money to church and to charities, someone who volunteers a lot, someone who hold doors open for others, someone who does good things. However, this attitude, called legalism, is not, in essence, Christianity. Legalism is all about the law. It creates a “Christ and…” mentality where we feel like we need to add something to the work of Christ. We try to save ourselves by either keeping all of the rules or by making up our own rules.

Even if the rules we aim to follow are all doctrines of the Bible, we cannot earn our way to heaven by keeping them.  We are not capable of this. We cannot keep all of the laws of Scripture. We break commandments every day, multiple times each day. And so being a Christian does not, ultimately, mean obeying the rules as best as we can to try and earn our way to heaven because that is an impossible task for us.

Christianity also does not solely mean being a good person. We often think that as we become better Christians, we gain better qualities and we become better people. We think that we need to have a certain number of good traits to be truly Christian. Again this puts the work on us. It is our duty to become better people so we can be better Christians. And again, no. With this mentality, Christianity is about our work, not Christ’s. Besides, what are works without faith?

So what then is Christianity? Christianity is all about Christ. It is about his work for us. Christ humbled himself and came to earth. He didn’t come as a prince in pomp and earthly glory, but instead he came to us in a lowly manger. He lived a perfect life for us, not sinning even once. He did not give in to any temptation the devil put in his way, but stood firm and resisted them for our sake. He then willingly suffered death on the cross and took upon himself the sins of the entire world. He died for us.

And that is not the end of the story. Jesus’ death is not meaningless, because he also rose from the dead. Christ gained for us the salvation we could not and cannot obtain on our own. He did what we cannot because he is the perfect and holy Son of God. This is why being a Christian means we are Christ-centered.

Christ is the reason for everything we do. Because he has done what we cannot, there is nothing for us to do except thank him continually. And so we do just that. We thank and praise him with our lives and with our words and actions. Everything we do is for his glory and to spread the word of what he has done. Our sole work is to preach Christ crucified and risen. Through him, we have become new persons. We were born again in our baptism and have done away with the old self. We are now blameless in God’s eyes because when he looks at us, he sees Christ’s holiness.

That is what it means to be a Christian. It means living our lives as a testimony to Christ and his saving work. For without him, we are nothing. Instead of asking the question, “What would Jesus do?” we instead ask ourselves, “What has Jesus done?” Our identity as a Christian comes through Christ and through the salvation he won for us. It means that we are firmly rooted in him and in his Word so that our lives are permeated with the joyful message of what he has done. Being Christian means casting aside who we are and what we have done and instead living in what Christ has done and who he is – our loving Savior.

Being a Christian, then, is not exclusive to a single denomination or group of people. But rather, the church—the holy Christian community—is filled with people from numerous congregations and from every race and people. Ultimately, being a Christian is not dependent on us having the same sort of religious organization or the same norm of worship style. Being a Christian is fully dependent on having saving faith in Christ and in Christ alone. That is what it means to be a Christian.

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Cleansed by Christ

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on February 7, 2015.

In one of my classes when  teaching at a Christian college, I gave students this essay prompt:

  • A friend of yours is struggling with both hatred and self-loathing.  She had dated a guy for three years and they had become close, very serious.  He had always pushed the physical side of their relationship, and eventually she yielded to him and their relationship became a sexual one.  Actually, she also had welcomed that part of the relationship because it made her feel loved and valued.  But then it seemed like the boyfriend tired of her.  She found out he actually was pursuing other women too (including sexually), and then he broke off the relationship with her.  Now she is struggling against constant feelings of hatred toward him, wishing all sorts of evil and harm would happen to him.  And she’s full of shame and disgust with herself, feeling like she will forever be a “slut” (as she now thinks of herself). Write a letter to your friend that talks about repentance and forgiveness and encourages her in her spirit in Jesus.  Help her find a way to move forward with an understanding of how repentance works and how our lives are changed by the gospel of forgiveness in Christ.

The following devotional piece was written in response to the essay prompt.   

Dear Ashley

by Alison Wine

Hey, beautiful!  I’m writing to you because I know how bad things have gotten recently.  It breaks my heart to know how much you are suffering.  I want to remind you of something:  God loves you more than you can understand!  He has loved you with an everlasting love.  No matter what you have done or thought, or felt, God has loved you always.  He sent Jesus to die for all those thoughts, feelings and actions — for all of your sins.  I know how heavy your heart is about what you had done.  The sorrow you feel is the first step toward repentance.  Now let faith take over.  You are forgiven of all that you have done wrong.  Jesus’ blood covers up your every sin.  You are his child.  Period.  Is God’s child a slut?  No.  Does God think of you that way?  No.  Should you think of yourself that way?  No.  You are holy and blameless in God’s sight.  Rejoice in this fact.  God doesn’t need you to be perfect.  He is perfect for you.  You can release the weight you’ve been carrying around .  Unpin the “scarlet A” from your life.  Throw that stain away.  Look at yourself the way God does — as his beloved, forgiven child. And you now may live in that way.

Now, Ashley, about Alex.  I understand how angry and hurt you are about what he did.  It is truly terrible.  But does the hatred for him that you are carrying around in your heart help you in any way?  No.  Carrying hatred in your heart is never good.  God tells us not to let the sun go down while we are still angry.  Alex may not be sorry for what he has done, but you don’t do him or yourself any good by harboring hatred for him.  What keeps you from letting go of your hatred toward him?  Your pride?  Your sense of justice?  Or your own sinful nature?

Pray about this, Ashley, Forgiving Alex will hurt, but ultimately will make your life better.  Release the hatred from your heart and have that void be filled with Christ.  Take your time; forgiveness doesn’t mean you instantly will forget or that what he did doesn’t matter.  But it does mean that you are aligning yourself with God’s will, and being guided by his love.

I love you, Ashley, and so does God!

Your friend,

Ali

 

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

A letter from home for you

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on October 27, 2014.

A Letter from Home, from your Heavenly Father

by Morgan Jacob

My dear child,

I am always with you. I know the deepest depths of your heart. I know your thoughts, your words, and your deeds. I see all of the wonderful works that you do to bring glory to me. I’ve noticed how you help your neighbor, how you proclaim my Word to others, and how you diligently study the Scriptures on your own. I do see all of the good that you do, and it pleases me.

However, I do also see the bad. Those daily sins that you struggle with?  Yeah, I know all about them. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to stop sinning. The laziness, the lack of love for others, the drunkenness, the judgmental thoughts. You know the sins that I’m talking about. I also see the sins you commit that you yourself aren’t even aware of. What I see, all of these shortcomings, do not please me.

However, do you not know that there is something else that I see even more than your sins? I see my son, Jesus. His perfect life and death on the cross covers all of your sins. He lived the perfect life that you are not able to, and he died the death that you deserve. He conquered sin, death, and the devil. Because you are my own dear child, whom I adopted through baptism and my Word, I look to Jesus when you sin. Because I love you as a Father loves his dear children, you can have the confidence that I have truly forgiven you because of what Christ has done. I do not hold your sins against you nor do I write a list of them and compare you to your neighbor. I keep no record of wrongs.

My forgiveness towards you, however, does not give you a free pass to sin. Do not think that because you are forgiven, you can act however you please. But rather, act in a way that will please me, your heavenly Father.

Repent, and turn from your evil ways. Avoid all sins that will lead you away from me. Do not let yourself be tempted to the point where your heart turns cold towards me and you no longer see the seriousness of your sin. Resist your sinful nature that constantly tells you, “Oh, what I’m doing isn’t really that bad” or “I certainly don’t sin as much as that person.” Satan will tempt you into thinking that your sins are not condemning, but you know from my Word and what you have learned that the one who lives a life of impenitence will not enter my kingdom.

Repent, my child, because I forgive you. Attend my supper where you are given my Son’s body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins and reassurance of my love for you. Surround yourself with those who walk in my way and follow my decrees. When you wrong someone, ask him for forgiveness, and be truly repentant. Do not just say the words “I’m sorry,” because words mean nothing without actions.  As my servant John wrote to you, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).  So therefore, my dear child, turn to me and I will help you put your words into actions and truly change your heart.

And finally, forgive others, just as I have forgiven you. This is not an easy task and it never will be. Your brothers and sisters will sin against you, and you will sin against them. A friend may betray you, a parent may neglect you, your partner may lie to you. Do not hold these sins against them. They are my precious children too. Forgive them, really forgive them. True forgiveness is more than saying the words “I forgive you” or “It’s okay, it’s not a big deal.” Forgiveness means that you will not hold your brother or sister’s sin against him or her any longer. You won’t bring it up in the future. You won’t guard feelings of hostility in your heart, and you won’t use their sin against them to cause hurt. When you forgive someone, you will set that person free.

Do not think that you can forgive on your own because you are such a good or strong person. You have the ability to forgive because I have given that to you, and I have forgiven you. Look to me when you face difficult challenges in your life. Whether you wrong someone or somebody wrongs you, look to see what my Word says, and you will be comforted. When you sin, repent, and when somebody sins against you, forgive them.

My dear child, it may not seem like I am always with you. You can’t see me, but remember that you can hear me. My Word is always in front of you to read, my angels are always surrounding you and protecting you, and I am always watching over you. Take to heart and listen to these words from my Son, Jesus, who said to his disciples—and says to you— “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” (John 20:21-23).

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you have forgiven all of our sins. Keep us close to you and motivate us to always stay in your Word. Give us the strength to ask for forgiveness and also to forgive others, as you have forgiven us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Lambs in the Shepherd’s Care

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on August 29, 2014.

Emily Eckley originally wrote this message for young children as the intended audience, but the message is appropriate for all of us, at any age.  We never cease to be little lambs in the care of our good shepherd.

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I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb

by Emily Eckley

Isaiah 40:11  “He tends his flock like a shepherd;  he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.”

Did you know that sheep are not very smart animals?  A sheep cannot find its own food or water.  It cannot protect itself to stay safe either.  That is why sheep and their lambs need a shepherd to take care of them.  The shepherd shows his love for his sheep by leading them to new fields with fresh grass to eat and clean water to drink.  He also protects the sheep from danger, like wild animals who may want to hurt the sheep, and keeps them from wandering away or getting lost.  The sheep trust their shepherd because he does such a good job taking care of them.

We are Jesus’ little lambs.  He is our shepherd and we need him.  You and I cannot do much for ourselves, but Jesus gathers us in his arms and carries us close to his heart.  Jesus takes care of our earthly needs by blessing us with food and water and other necessities.  More importantly though Jesus takes care of our spiritual needs.  We, like all people, were born sinful and still sin every day.   There’s nothing we could do to earn God’s love.  But thank God! Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.  Our shepherd Jesus lovingly brought forgiveness to his lambs.  That includes you and me and the rest of the world.

Having Jesus as our shepherd makes our hearts thankful and glad.  Sometimes sickness or trouble causes stress in our lives.  That’s when we need to lean on Jesus our shepherd the most.  God’s promises in Jesus enable us to overcome sadness and fear, putting a smile back on our faces because we know and trust that nothing on this earth, not even death, can take our shepherd’s gift of heaven away from us.  Nothing can make us happier.  Praise the Lord that we are Jesus’ little lambs!

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, we thank you for being our loving shepherd and carrying us in your arms close to your heart.  Please help us and all of your lambs to live free from fear with a smile on our faces knowing that no matter what troubles we face on this earth, you will take us to be with you in heaven one day.  Amen.

I am Jesus’ little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need, and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.

Day by day, at home, away,
Jesus is my Staff and Stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, he bids me go
Where the quiet waters flow.

Who so happy as I am,
Even now the Shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By his angel host attended,
He shall fold me to his breast,
There within his arms to rest.

(The Lutheran Hymnal 648)

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Christian Life

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on June 19, 2014.

In the history of the Christian church, theological writers often have titled their works in this straightforward fashion:

  • On the Incarnation (Athanasius of Alexandria)
  • On the Trinity  (Hilary of Poitiers)
  • On the Freedom of the Christian (Martin Luther)

This blog post takes up an assignment such as that from a New Testament course, in which students were asked to write “on the life of a Christian.”

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On the Life of a Christian

by Danica Scharlemann

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who recognize and accept Christ as their Savior from sin and those who reject Christ and his works of grace.  While members of the later grouping have no permanent hope on which to drive their lives, Christians have every reason to hope and live in joy, for they are compelled by the undying love of Christ.

The life of Christians begins as the lives of the whole world—drowning in a pool of original sin. “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10).  It was for this reason, moved by his love, that our heavenly Father gave up his only Son as a lamb without blemish to be sacrificed on our behalf.  And so Christ Jesus made in the flesh, yet being in the same nature God, made his dwelling among us and lived a life of perfection under the law of God and of man.  His perfect life only led to his suffering and crucifixion.  On the cross, Christ bore the punishment of hell for the sins of the entire world.  In doing so, our lives were redeemed and salvation was won. This is how the lives of the world were restored from their damning state.

Now we are precious children of our heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to create fruits of faith. It is this faith that determines our salvation.  We are members of God’s elect–those to whom he has graciously promised eternal life to through the works of the Father, Son, and Spirit.  It is not by our works, but by his works that we are granted life everlasting. This is the hope by which we live.

This hope is what defines the underlying confidence behind the life of a Christian. We walk through life, not as if our actions are meaningless and forgiveness is futile, but bearing the sign of Christ. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, therefore all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14). It is not the old self of sin that thrives in us, but the new self in Christ, which strives to live in love and joy in every circumstance. We do not simply accept our salvation and become contented in our every action, for it is written, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).  Christians do not act in attempt to win their own salvation, for it is not their works that assure them of heaven.  Instead it is God and God alone who is capable of bringing us to heaven.  As Paul stated, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).  Our good works are surely not to be attributed to our own powers, but instead to God we give all glory.  Yet our sinful deeds are still of our own doing, and we still do sinful deeds in our lives now.  It is not until we reach our heavenly home that we will live in the totality of righteousness and holiness that only Christ attains.

Although Christians live with the confidence of salvation, they strive to live in the way of Christ, taking on the nature of a servant. We spend our days being models of Christ, showing through our own actions the wonders of our God.  Again, it is only through the Spirit that faith is found, but we work as instruments of the Spirit to spread the love of Christ to the world.  For who, with such wonderful knowledge of love and joy, would be able to keep from telling the world?  This is the joy, the confidence, and the love behind the life of a Christian: Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Women and Men in Relationship under Christ

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Originally published on the Electric Gospel on May 24, 2014.

When I originally began the Electric Gospel blog, it was to give voice to what I considered an important thought from a young woman who struggled through a relationship.  She had dated a man who didn’t understand what God wants of men as they relate to women.  This message returned to that theme, this time with a letter from another young woman, writing to her sister about what to seek in a relationship with a man.

A Letter to My Sister

Author’s name withheld by request

I need to tell you that I am sorry. You have endured countless trials over the last few years, and I have seen how hard each one has been for you. But I will be the first to admit that I have not always been there for you during the rough times. Even when I was present, I didn’t provide the support and comfort that you needed at the time. I wasn’t always willing or able to share your burdens, because I didn’t understand how you ended up in many of those situations.  I thought I knew what was best for you. I just couldn’t comprehend why you couldn’t see things the way I did. I wanted you to stop being so depressed. Instead of listening to you, understanding what you felt and discovering your needs, I tried to cheer you up. I tried to distract you and show you where to go next. When it comes down to it, I made it all about me.

It never should have been that way. I am sorry that I failed to sit with you, let you cry and listen to you. I’m sorry that I tried to fix you instead of help you.

Lately I have been working very hard to listen to you. I mean really listen to what you say and what you truly mean–rather than what I think you should mean. What I want to tell you now speaks to what is truly on your heart and mind. I am not telling you this because I just want the crying to stop or because I somehow need to say this for myself. I am telling you these things because I truly care about you and your future relationships.

I know you have trouble believing what the Bible has to say about women submitting to their husbands.  Christ’s apostle said, “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord” (Colossians 3:18).  You say that it shouldn’t be that way, because women should be equal to men. Women shouldn’t be held back or forced to go down the wrong road because of bum husbands. You think that a woman should be strong and independent.

I can understand where you are coming from. You have dated men who don’t respect you the way they should, who don’t understand your needs as a woman and who fail to value your unique gifts and perspectives. On top of that, all around us we see men who simply don’t live up to God’s expectations for their lives. In turn, we see women who pay for it.

I think there is a lot we are forgetting about here. Remember that the Bible has something to say to men, too. Paul also wrote in one of his letters, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

Just as Christ loved the church.

Wow. Christ loved the church a LOT. Christ left heaven to live among sinful human beings. He was eventually tortured and killed by the very humans he came to redeem. He suffered hell on the cross when God left him completely alone with the sins of the entire world on his shoulders.

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.

When the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write these words, the intention wasn’t that women would go out and marry men that would control and oppress them. The intention was that God’s children would model their lives, attitudes and relationships around the model of Jesus Christ and his beloved, the church. Christ is the head of the church. He leads his sheep. He listens to them. He does what is best for them. He gave his life for them.

Of course, we don’t find this in our imperfect world. Far too often we encounter men who abuse their wives. We see men who push their wives around and take advantage of them. Many husbands simply fail to provide their wives with the attention, leadership, respect and sensitivity that they should.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. I want you to look for someone who models his life after Christ. This man will lead you in the way that is best for you. He will respect you and listen to you. He will strive to understand you and your needs. In turn, you will respect him and support him. You will encourage him and help him be the man God has designed him to be. 

He still won’t be perfect. You still won’t be perfect. But I urge you to look to Christ. Ask the Spirit for strength during the good times and the bad. Use God’s Word as a model for your lives together. God will be with you as you live together the way he intended, and you will be greatly blessed!

I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything. I promise to listen to you. I promise to help when you want it, not when I think you need it. I promise to do what I can to be a better sister and a better friend.

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

God Puts an End to our Pride

Friday, May 16, 2014

Originally published on the Electric Gospel on May 16, 2014.

God brought Deyi Shi from atheism to Christian faith. This message was something he wrote as a chapel devotion at a Christian college. 

Served by Jesus, we are servants

by Deyi Shi

Five years ago, I was baptized. I never thought myself to be the religious kind until God reached out to me. Prior to my rebirth, my whole life revolved around myself. The sole motivation of my life was my pride and the desire to be better than everyone else. It was a miracle that God grabbed me with his hands and plucked me away from the devil I had inside. When I was lost, hopeless and afflicted by the spiritual emptiness, God showed me the way through his word. He chose me, a guy who once thought he was his own god, to be his servant.

To this day, pride is still a big problem for me. Just a few weeks ago, when studying the 1st Commandment in a Bible class, I was asked, “What are some things that you worship other than God?” My immediately thought was myself. When I look into a mirror, I see myself as the center of the world. Although I am no longer the completely godless person I once was, I am still a sinner. I still put myself before others and even before God. I still often forget what the word “humble” means when I say and do things. I still think my way is better than other people’s ways.

How many times have you thought to yourself that you are way better than that guy? It is a great temptation for us, Christians, to feel superior to those who don’t believe what we believe. We are proud of ourselves because God has declared us his saints. We pat ourselves on our back for going to church and doing such and such in God’s name. We treat God’s gift to us as our trophy, as something that makes us better than others.

However, as we immerse ourselves in our pride, we overlook what Jesus’ taught us. We read (John 13:1-17) that Jesus, as the almighty Son of God, washed the feet of his servants. At the time, people wore sandals without socks. The road was dirty and rough, and probably with animal feces lying around. The job of washing others’ feet was done by the servant of the lowest level. Yet, Jesus, the King of kings, humbled himself and became a lowly servant of all. If there is anyone who can be boastful and full of pride, it is Jesus. As the Son of God, he deserves all the glory in this universe. Yet, he chose to serve not to be served. His servitude reflects his infinite love for all – his love for Judas who betrayed him, for the disciples who abandoned him, and for Peter who denied him.  Peter did not understand why Jesus, the Son of God, had to do something this lowly. He tried to refuse Jesus’ offer. But he did not know that Jesus would do something a hundred times more humiliating the next day, to die on the cross as a criminal. Peter wanted Jesus to be glorious and majestic. He thought he knew better than Jesus. Jesus replied to him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Instead of condemning Peter, Jesus invited him to be part of him. He showed him his great love for all not only by words but deeds. He loved all and was willing to be the servant of all and to die in their place on the cross.

Jesus’ life, death and resurrection supplied us the righteousness we lack. He answers our pride with his humility and love. And we, in faith, respond in love and humility. When we boast and take pride in ourselves, we think about Jesus taking off his garment, humbling himself, and washing his disciples’ feet with gentleness and respect. Now I’m not telling you to go wash other people’s feet like Jesus did, but have the servant attitude of Jesus. Next time when you think that you are better than that guy, you remember that Jesus loves him as much as he loves you. Do not despise others for who they are, but show them that Jesus’ love is in you, so that they may know how much Jesus loves them. This is what it means to be part of God’s great love. It is his love that motivates us. It is his love that he covers our sin with his own blood.

Posted by Electric Gospel
24
Dec
2019

Want a Perfect Life? Trust Jesus

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Originally published on The Electric Gospel on May 10, 2014.  Many of us need the reminder to stop stressing over how perfectly we can plan and carry out our lives, when we have a gracious God who has given us so many promises.

Are You a Perfectionist?

by Kathy Kolell

Are you a perfectionist like I am?  I like to set the bar high and either move it higher or refuse to jump over it.  I’m usually sure that I can’t do it…whatever “it” is.  How does this happen to a Christian and how does a Christian respond?

Perfectionism presents itself in many different ways.   Often, you’d never know such thoughts are lurking in a person because we are classic overachievers who study hard until every “i” is dotted and every “t” crossed.  We are people who read the fine printed on the accept/decline notices on computer updates.  However, other times we procrastinate.  If we do manage to start a project, we have a hard time finishing it.

The fear of failing is the like a bogeyman that haunts everything.  One person might say, “Oh well, I’ll try something else.”  But we perfectionists are sure our lives are over if we fail.  If we succeed, however, then we will be responsible to keep up the success and build on it.

As a Christian I got caught in the trap of thinking about God’s Plan for My Life.   It is capitalized because obviously there is a plan for me and all I have to do is find it and act.  Then the pieces will come together.   But this thinking makes perfectionism worse. How would I know if what I attempted was God-pleasing or plan was the right one?

What does Scripture say?

Ecclesiastes 11:1 – “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.”  The note in my Concordia Self-Study Bible (NIV) was captivating.  It reads, “Be adventurous, like those who accept the risks and reap the benefits.  Do not always play it safe.”  There is a verse about risk-taking in the Bible?  That seems to say it’s ok to at least try even if the outcome is unknown.

The second interesting verse was 2 Corinthians 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” The Self-Study Bible note reads that man is absolutely insufficient; God is totally sufficient.  This verse speaks about our salvation in Christ and everything else connected with being human.  Everything in our lives—our salvation, our work, our projects comes from God alone.  We are clay; vessels in God’s hands.  This is interesting.  Is there one, detailed, specific plan or do we do the work for each day and let God work out the rest?

In Matthew it is written, “Do not worry about your life … your heavenly Father knows” … everything (Matthew 6:25,26).  Every hope, dream, fear and concern.  A favorite verse in Romans assures us that God will use the failure and the success of our lives for our good:  “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The same God that tells us to be adventurous, also tells us that everything…EVERYTHING will be used to bring his children into the likeness of his Son. That includes challenges, fear, failure, success and fickle feelings.

There are many things about which the Bible is very clear in regard to how we live. We know the Ten Commandments.  We know that we are to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” and instead “be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:31,32).  But after that, God doesn’t care what city we live in, if we open a shop, go back to school, or buy a house because “in their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD determines their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).   God promises to use events in our lives to make his children more like Jesus. God will help us through any difficulty because when he looks at us, he sees his Son.  When we belong to Christ, our salvation is finished in him and our sanctification aims at drawing us ever closer to him. Excessive fear and worry is not from God, but God also uses the broken and the weak for his purposes.   We can live with weakness and fear because we say with Saint Paul, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us when we are afraid and fearful.  Thank you for your promises that assure us everything will be made to serve your purpose and make us like your Son.  Thank you for giving us our unique personalities and loving us just as we are.  In your holy name we pray.  Amen.

Posted by Electric Gospel