“Le Hic”, (the thing) about the Gospel is that there are SO many things about the Gospel. Who can ever be bored, when there are treasures to be discovered? I sometimes thank God that He is both bigger & better and truer & more real than anything I can imagine. I don’t have to fear running out of new knowledge about God. I don’t have to fear that one day I’ll hear of proof that Christianity isn’t true after all.
Here are some recent thoughts, new to me, about God and what He has done for us:
- Justice has been meted out in my cosmic criminal case, so I face no more penal judgment. Payment for my sins is truly behind me, a fait accompli. There is no double jeopardy in God’s kingdom.
- I’ve already been punished when Jesus was punished
- I’ve already died. I was crucified with Jesus at the cross.
- Therefore, with nothing to fear, my relationship with the Father has been restored.
- If the worse thing to fear is death, and since I’ve already died, there is nothing more to fear. Do I lack anything? Remember Paul’s logic. If God the Father has given me the ultimate (Jesus), won’t He just as readily and easily provide for my lesser needs?
- What about people’s approval? If God is for me, what do I care what others think? I don’t need anyone’s praise. I’ve been declared cherished and worth dying for, so much so as to be united to Christ. (Who would want to share His nature with worms?)
- Not needing to please man, my time and energy is now freed from the tyranny of always having to convince others how great and unique I am.
- If I have peace with God forever, I can graciously endure temporary hardship, drawing on the strength of the One with whom I’m united.
During this final week leading to Christmas 2011, let us savor our Savior. Let us treasure the innumerable benefits that are ours in Christ. And let us not hesitate to explain the riches available to all those who turn to Him. The next time someone asks, “Are you ready for Christmas?” why not flip the question around to? :
“Yes, thanks for asking. What about you? What thrills you about the birth of Christ?”
Maybe the different response might give them pause long enough to hear some good news.
Reflections on God's Word 
Dec 16, 2011 @ 17:45:22
awesome post and thank you for sharing those thoughts…the word is so awesome and I am so grateful for your heart! Thank you for blessing me and encouraging me today that no matter what I do or don’t God’s love is so much more !!! Thank you!
Dec 16, 2011 @ 18:20:19
Meahgan, thanks for YOUR en couragement. I burn hot and cold, so it’s good for ME to see in print what I’m thinking when I’m in my RIGHT mind.
Dec 19, 2011 @ 05:00:32
“Justice has been meted out in my cosmic criminal case, so I face no more penal judgment. Payment for my sins is truly behind me, a fait accompli. There is no double jeopardy in God’s kingdom.
I’ve already been punished when Jesus was punished.
I’ve already died. I was crucified with Jesus at the cross.”
You are in good company, Maria. St. Paul says the exact same thing in Romans 6 (concerning Baptism).
And we are also raised with Christ there, as well!
Great news!
Thanks, very much.