Even
as Christians, we often get an idea in our mind and run with it. We go from one
worldly pursuit to the next, collecting human accolades and storing up treasure
on this earth. We eventually find our feet far from the path that God designed
for our life (Ephesians 2:10).
We
are walking in disobedience and completely out of His will. Every sin spawns
from one major offense - the sin of unbelief. Unbelief keeps us out of the
Kingdom of God on earth, and prevents us from enjoying eternity with God in
Heaven (John 3:16-18).
God
demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to die for us and to justify us
by His blood (Romans 5:5-9). He reconciled us to Himself through Jesus, who
gave us this same ministry of reconciliation for others (2 Corinthians 5:18).
We
inherit an unbelieving heart from Adam and Eve, but we acquire saving faith
from Jesus Christ. He presents us holy in His sight, without blemish and free
from any accusation that would condemn us for eternity (Colossians 1:22).
Sin
also separates us from God's companionship, which we come to cherish; but
restoration is only a humble prayer away. While we were still enemies with God,
He saved us from His wrath through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus on
earth, who now abides within us (Romans 5:9-10).
God
also gave us His Spirit to comfort, guide and teach us all things (John 14:26;
1 John 2:20, 27). When life overwhelms us, and worry robs us of health and
God's peace, God gives us ways to return to the center of His love: praying to
God who cares, sharing with a fellow Christian who understands, reading His
Word for encouragement, and walking in the Spirit one moment at a time.
Prayer:
Father
God, our assurance of our salvation though Jesus works in our hearts and
transforms us from children of darkness into children of Light (1 Thessalonians
5:5). Then You launch us into the ministry of reconciliation, to bring this
same Good News to all of those, which You place in our life (2 Corinthians
5:18).
Help
us to take a chance in all of our tomorrows, to share the Good News of Jesus
Christ with someone we know, or that we meet by Your divine providence. Help us
to share our faith with them simply and distinctly, with conviction and joy. Give
us Your courage, wisdom and words to reconcile souls to faith in You.
Thought
for the Day:
When
we were enemies of God, Christ reconciled us to the Father through His death;
now He keeps us on a straight and narrow path, because of our enemies; He also surrounds
us with His angels, so that we will not stumble or fall.
-
Psalm 27:11, 91:11
