Tags
1 John 4:10-19, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Attitude of Gratitude, Colossians 1:12-14, Ephesians 2:1-7, Gratitude, John 10:9-11, John 5:26, John 6:40, Lazarus, Matthew 1:21, Raised to new life, Romans 5:1-11, Romans 6:4, Thankfulness, Thanks-Giving
Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 12. A Month Of Gratitude??? #2
As we continue in our consideration of gratitude, I’d like to thank God for being GOD! I thank God for loving us first and sending Jesus to pay the debt for my sin and yours!
“Herein is love,
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us,
and sent his Son
to be the propitiation for our sins…
… 18 There is no fear in love;
but perfect love
casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment.
He that feareth
is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him,
because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:10 & 18-19
Oh, how amazing it is to me that “he first loved us”! We who are sinners, have received the abundant grace and mercy of God, beyond measure! And Paul painted such an amazing picture of it.
“Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access
by faith
into this grace
wherein we stand,
and rejoice
in hope
of the glory of God.
3 And not only so,
but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;
4 And patience,
experience;
and experience,
hope:
5 And hope
maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad
in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost
which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength,
in due time
Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man
will one die:
yet peradventure for a good man
some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love
toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
9 Much more then,
being now justified
by his blood,
we shall be saved
from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God
by the death of his Son,
much more,
being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so,
but we also joy in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom we have now received
the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11
Let those amazing words sink in! While we were “yet sinners, Christ died for us”—what an amazing gift to all who will believe “in Him” and receive His saving “grace”! How could we not be thankful to our God and live with a continual ‘attitude of gratitude’! And while I was thinking about gratitude, I was reminded of Lazarus—one who had received one of Jesus’ greatest miracles—when he was raised from the dead! The question is, have you “been raised” in Jesus?
“Therefore we are buried with him
by baptism into death:
that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
even so we also
should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
Just as Lazarus was raised up from the dead, we too are raised from the dead spiritually—given new life by the power of HIS blood.
“And you hath he quickened,
who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world,
according to the prince
of the power of the air,
the spirit that now worketh
in the children
of disobedience:
3 Among whom also
we all had our conversation
in times past
in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh
and of the mind;
and were by nature
the children of wrath,
even as others.
4 But God,
who is rich in mercy,
for his great love
wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead
in sins,
hath quickened us together
with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together
in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come
he might shew the exceeding riches
of his grace
in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1-7
Like Lazarus, we can be raised by faith in Jesus, who will save us from our sin, by repentance and faith! Amen!
“And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people
from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
Have you been “made”? It’s a term often used in the ‘cop shows’ for being detected; but it also means being created into something new, and that is what God does for us—He makes us new IN Jesus! And IN Jesus, we also receive something else in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus:
“For he hath made him to be sin
for us,
who knew no sin;
that we might be made
the righteousness of God
in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
What more could we ask from our God—He not only gave “His only begotten Son” to die for us—but to paraphrase Paul:
Jesus—who knew no sin—
Took on sin—at Calvary for me—
That we who were born in sin—
Who choose to sin—
Are accounted ‘righteous’—
IN HIM!!!
In contrast to those who think “salvation” is an opportunity to be ‘scot-free’ and do as we please, it is the gift of God which changes us from those who revel in darkness to those who walk in the light with our Lord Jesus!
“Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet
to be partakers
of the inheritance
of the saints
in light:
13 Who hath delivered us
from the power
of darkness,
and hath translated us
into the kingdom
of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness
of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
I’m so grateful that HE has delivered me—translated me—and is ever working to make me/you into the image of Jesus! We can truly know that “resurrection” power of Jesus, like Lazarus—all because Jesus came that we might have abundant LIFE IN HIM!!!
“For as the Father hath life in himself;
so hath he given to the Son
to have life in himself;” John 5:26
“And this is the will of him that sent me,
that every one which seeth the Son,
and believeth on him,
may have everlasting life:
and I will raise him up
at the last day.” John 6:40
“I am the door:
by me
if any man enter in,
he shall be saved,
and shall go in and out,
and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not,
but for to steal,
and to kill,
and to destroy:
I am come
that they might have life,
and that they might have it
more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep.” John 10:9-11
Have you come to the shepherd of your soul? If no, He’s calling you to Himself today! If you have come to Him, what more could we have to be thankful for? I pray that you will join me in this season of gratitude, to share this great gift! Amen and Amen!!!