Have you ever heard something that kind of made everything come together? I heard these profound and applicable words today. "Is this what Jesus died for?"
I visited my grandparents' church today. It has a very special place in my heart because it brings back sweet memories of my first learnings of Jesus. When Mom would let us go with our grandparents, it was as fun as going to an amusement park. Our grandparents drove the church bus, so we rode with them to pick up other children. Of course that was fun. 1) When there were no other children, we had free range and could sit in any seat. 2) We got to meet lots of cool kiddos. When we arrived, they let us pick where we wanted to sit. Of course we picked the balcony. Most of the time, I fell asleep in the pew, but boy did I love going. I vividly remember going to VBS and having a competition for the most change brought in. I thought it was the best ever. I remember sitting in Sunday school and the teachers hanging up illustrations to go along with lesson. I particularly remember the story of Noah. Oh sweet memories. Today, their pastor spoke about the foundation of the church. In there, he gave an example of some (seminary- I think) teachers who were disagreeing about something. One fellow had had enough, and he said "Is this what Jesus died for?" Unfortunately, I can't remember all of the specifics to the story, but my mouth dropped open, and I'm pretty sure a light bulb appeared above my head (you know, like wow! AHA!) Mark 16:15 ~ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Matthew 16 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So often Christians disagree on this and that. We throw rocks at each other, and I don't understand it. We are supposed to be a body. In the midst of all the disagreeing, we lose sight of what Jesus died for. When we get caught up in traditions, we lose sight of what Jesus died for. In all of the trying to "do good", we lose sight of what Jesus died for. We lose sight of the rock which God founded The Church on. Is this what Jesus died for? Jesus died to save a lost world. Jesus died, so we could have eternity with Him. Jesus died for an imperfect people. Jesus died for the person who doesn't "look" Christ like. Jesus died for the person who doesn't "act" Christ like. Jesus died for the person sitting beside you that chews food really loudly. Jesus died for the person that cut you off while you were driving. Jesus died for the person that has never sat on a church pew. Jesus died for the person that speaks profanely. Jesus died for the person that hurt you. Jesus died for the person reading this right now. Jesus died for WHOSOEVER. We get so lost in what we think Christianity should be or should look like, and we lose sight of the Word of God. Romans 3:23~ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; We are all sinners, and none, no not one, is worthy of the Kingdom of God. You don't have to be "good enough" because you never will be. Jesus' blood was and is the atonement for our sin. He is the ONLY way. So before we argue, disagree, or get caught up in ourselves and our own motives, let us ask ourselves, "Is this what Jesus died for?"
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Saved by God's amazing grace and living this divinely put together puzzle of a beautiful life He so graciously blessed. Archives
March 2020
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