God’s Graciousness to Us

I have often been astounded at the matchless love of Jesus. Not at his love now, reigning as Lord in a new spiritual body at the Father’s right hand. But as a man on earth, tempted in all ways like us—yet never having sin. He could have failed, but he didn’t. He gave his life for us. My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ work and righteousness.

Ephesians 1:8 [ESV]:
Which [love] he [God] lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.

God, the Creator of all good things, lavishes and pours out his wisdom and insight to us when we listen. During a church meeting just a day ago, our “over 55” group spent time in prayer and listening to the Father’s will for us. Jesus set a template for us on how to listen and pray so often in his life and ministry.

James 1:18 [ESV]:
Of his own [God’s] will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

God truly showed us that to believe in the risen savior and make him Lord—the word of truth concerning Christ—will cause any man or woman to be born again by God’s spirit. Then we are each a kind of new creation, with “Christ in us,” the hope of glory. It was His super love and intense will for us to be His own kids and love Him back.

Deuteronomy 14:2 [ESV]:
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Why did this great and loving God choose the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? They were holy to Him and His treasured possession because Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob believed God’s promise of sending a savior. They hoped in the Messiah’s arrival someday. Now we look back on Christ’s accomplishments with great joy and thankfulness. That God would “so love the world” to send His only Son to redeem us and set us free.

Romans 6:12,13 [ESV]:
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

We were dead in sin and are now alive in Christ Jesus, our faithful Lord. Let’s make our members, our abilities and skills and services, an honor and glory to our risen Lord. Let’s present ourselves righteously in meek and humble “listening mode” each day to serve in love. And let us, therefore, reign in life with Jesus at our side—remembering what he would do in our steps today.

Hebrews 4:12 [ESV]:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Jesus is the living Word of God. He is the Lamb of God, the righteous Son of David and the bringer of perfect peace. When our thoughts and intentions seem to go astray, let’s open our hearts to the scriptures that make known the living Christ. They will help us discern what we need to know and are sharp enough to pierce the bond of soul and spirit—showing us how to live for him. I am so thankful for my life in Christ.

No one has ever seen God. The only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, has made Him known to us. Let’s continue the adventure!