The word salvation in the life of the Christian loses its luster after time. We talk about being saved in a very objective, rational sort of way. Yet, anyone saved from death would never simply discuss their deliverance in a merely factual way.
Take note of your thoughts, attitudes and words pertaining to the gospel. Does the cross still grip you? Does it stun or amaze you? Perhaps the right questions for maturing believers is not "have I been saved?", but rather am I today stunned, amazed and overwhelmed by Jesus' work on the cross? I would argue that if we are not deeply affected by glorying in what Christ accomplished for us on the cross, then our salvation is becoming way too much a past event instead of a present reality.
I don't know about you, but I need the gospel daily. And, yes, God did "save" me in the past. But, I also need deliverance each day. And, He delivers by distributing his grace freely to my area of need. The freshness of experiencing the gospel daily has been helping me stay routinely overwhelmed by the cross.
Are you currently stunned, amazed and overwhlemed by what your Lord did for you? Does your obedience to Christ arise out of sheer obligation to do the "Christian" thing, or in loving response to the grace offered you in Christ?
How do we keep our faith fresh and amazing? Never, ever cease meditating upon or glorying in the cross of Christ.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Eyes to see
Josh Bell, the world renown violinist was asked to participate in an experiment with the Washington Post which asked the question, "In an ordinary setting, at an inappropriate hour, would people notice beauty?" The answer should not shock us. The worlds greatest violinist played some of the most intricate and beautiful pieces of music ever composed for almost an hour in a busy subway station in Washington DC on an ordinary Friday morning (disguised in a pair of blue jeans and baseball hat) and went virtually unnoticed.
The result of the Posts experiment (people do not see beauty when its staring them in the face) should not surprise us. The Scriptures say that our sin nature eclipses our ability to see beauty, grace, truth, God. The most shocking social experiment revealing this simple fact was the incarnation. The apostle John sadly reports "He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, and his own received him not."
As I watch this incriminating video, it drives home the realization that God Himself walked this earth full of grace and truth (John 1:14), but because he had no worldly beauty or majesty attached to him, we despised him and esteemed not. The eyes that were fashioned to gaze upon and bring glory to their Creator, ignored their Creator. How sad.
Are we any less blind today? Do you have eyes and still fail to see? Are you like those in the Metro Station who scurry past beauty and grace, when it comes incognito, or are you like one of those who stopped, recognized and received? Not many noticed Jesus. Most ignored, but some were compelled to stop in their tracks. Disciples are those called by God to stop, recognize and receive Him.
Not many see. "But, to all who receive Him. . .He grants the rights to become children of God" (John 1:12).
Enjoy.
The result of the Posts experiment (people do not see beauty when its staring them in the face) should not surprise us. The Scriptures say that our sin nature eclipses our ability to see beauty, grace, truth, God. The most shocking social experiment revealing this simple fact was the incarnation. The apostle John sadly reports "He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, and his own received him not."
As I watch this incriminating video, it drives home the realization that God Himself walked this earth full of grace and truth (John 1:14), but because he had no worldly beauty or majesty attached to him, we despised him and esteemed not. The eyes that were fashioned to gaze upon and bring glory to their Creator, ignored their Creator. How sad.
Are we any less blind today? Do you have eyes and still fail to see? Are you like those in the Metro Station who scurry past beauty and grace, when it comes incognito, or are you like one of those who stopped, recognized and received? Not many noticed Jesus. Most ignored, but some were compelled to stop in their tracks. Disciples are those called by God to stop, recognize and receive Him.
Not many see. "But, to all who receive Him. . .He grants the rights to become children of God" (John 1:12).
Enjoy.
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