His Mercy – December 9, 2008

His Mercy

Titus 3:4-7

Jim Stephens

12-09-08

 

Scripture:

 

4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are densely packed with instruction from the experienced apostle to these younger men who have the responsibility of establishing and leading churches and dealing with all the issues of conflict and wrong teaching that were arising in the 30-year-old church.  These letters have become Bible College and Seminary courses in pastoral work.

 

It really helps to keep the right perspective when I read this reminder of the simplicity of the Good News.

 

Application:

 

Life gets complicated.  It’s complicated by the fact that simple faith tends to get complicated into religious practices.  It’s complicated by the fact that people have problems with people.  It’s complicated by my own ups and downs and issues and struggles.

 

The thing that remains simple is that a kind and loving God saved me because of his mercy.  He washed away my sins and gave me new birth, a new life, and he filled me with his Holy Spirit.  He declared me righteous and gave me the promise and assurance of eternal life.  That’s the truth!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, thank you for your love and kindness.  Thank you for your mercy.  Thank you for washing away my sins and declaring me righteous and making me your child.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit.  Help me to be loving and kind and merciful and forgiving as you have been to me.  Help me to be encouraging and comforting and inspiring to others as your Spirit has been to me.  Amen.

Speechless – September 1, 2008

Speechless

Ezekiel 16:62-63

Jim Stephens

09-01-08

 

Scripture:

 

62 I’ll firmly establish my covenant with you and you’ll know that I am God. 63 You’ll remember your past life and face the shame of it, but when I make atonement for you, make everything right after all you’ve done, it will leave you speechless.’ ” Decree of God, the Master. (Ezekiel 16:62-63 The Message)

 

Observation:

 

I don’t enjoy reading the almost pornographic description of Judah’s sin and sins in Ezekiel’s prophecy.  After all, children might actually read the Bible and would we want them reading this sort of stuff?

 

But after wading through a chapter describing Judah and Israel’s whorish, God-forsaking pattern of behavior, the point is that God’s scandalous grace leaves us speechless.

 

Ezekiel keeps piling on layer after layer of graphic description of how sickening Judah’s sin really is and then delivers God’s message – wait for it – “I’m going to forgive and redeem and restore you and it will just blow you away!”

 

Application:

 

You can’t appreciate how amazing grace is until you realize how rotten sin is.  God’s grace exceeds human limitations by such a wide margin that to even begin to comprehend it leaves us speechless.

 

I’ve got to remember that my sin is as disgusting to God as the sin pattern Ezekiel describes for Judah.  I’ve got to realize that God’s grace is so scandalous that he daily forgives, redeems, and restores me – if I’ll let him.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, your word really sets me up to learn a lesson.  I read through this whole chapter of Ezekiel’s description of Judah’s sickening behavior and just about the time I’ve had way more than enough and am thinking that she really got what she deserved, you forgive her and take her back and restore the blessings of your covenant to her.  Just like you do with me.  Sorry.  Thanks.  Speechless.  Amen.