As someone was kind enough to chunk a bunch of Carson quotes into the Twitter mix end of week, this one snagged my conscience and became the intro to a weekend chock full of grab-me-by-the-collar-and-shake-me-a-bit moments, “Tragically we buy the lie that the gospel is only for the unconverted.”
Forgetting how desperately I need the Gospel of Jesus Christ every split second of every fragment of my existence yields some pretty negative stuff, such as:
Allowing a numbness to set in. All of those markers, points in my life where God intervened in a dramatic and miraculous way, gather a haze or dust if you will, so that they no longer serve their function as reminders.
Being blinded to the reality of opportunities. Forgetting veils my eyes from seeing that God is generously placing people in my midst, people who need the gospel just like I do.
Choking out the still small voice. Prayer becomes a time of selfish me-fests, rather than a time to hear from the One alone who is worthy of all praise.
Doubting the goodness of God and His goodness in those who love Him. Being forgetful leads me to put forth my own weak efforts instead of trusting my God who has promised to meet every need, and where He has begun a good work, to see it through to completion. Being forgetful makes me forget that I’m not in this alone.
Every diverse thought divides. Forgetting my, and everyone else’s need for the gospel, makes me look beyond the gospel itself, to meaningless divisive discussions.
Of first importance, Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Amen! I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God to save every one of us!
ccragamuffin
mtsweat
I am an idiot. The Lord Jesus is not. When an idiot takes the Lord up on His offer of grace and life and truth and payment for sin and eveything good, he or she becomes (eventually at least) a non-idiot. A mess becomes organized. Darkness becomes light. Wimpiness becomes strength. THE DEVIL GETS SCARED (Ruh roh…). And a non-entity regarding a real force for good becomes a FORCE FOR GOOD. In other words, Resurrection is a trip. And the Lord is solely responsible for it. And our lives becomes an ongoing series of resurrections after the first big one, the spiritual born again resurrection, and extends (eventually), if we keep the faith and complete the course (thanks, Paul), to the resurrection of everything else (Hey look! I can fly! Cool!)
One can only walk from your words encouraged and inspired RJ! Cool! Thanks good friend and many blessings to you today.
He alone is worthy to be praised “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5)…good blog! God bless and happy new year to you and yours!
He alone is worthy to be praised, of all praise. Amen! Your note from Ephesians ties it all together… “the good pleasure of His will.” Awesome! Thanks and a blessed New Year to you also.
…Guarantees that I will not be “a servant of this gospel by this gift of God’s grace, given to me through the working of His power.” (Ephesians!!!)
Said well… and with a “G.” “H?” H’s anyone? 🙂
Forgetting deceives me in thinking it is all about me instead of Him.
Happy New Year and Keep the Faith!
A fantastic contribution! – – and it began with “F.” I love it. Any takers for “G?”
Thanks good friend and a Happy New Year back at you. Hmmm…