But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8 | |
Imagine giving this Christmas the way God gave to us that first Christmas: God gave us His unconditional love through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ even though we were undeserving of such a wonderful gift.
Imagine giving this kind of love to someone who really gets under your skin: perhaps someone who slanders you or offends you with their attitude towards you or actions against you. Only people who have accepted God's gift of Jesus are capable of such love.
Jesus told His followers to pray for their enemies: what's that look like for you? For me that means praying for the leaders of Planned Parenthood. Nothing really gets under my skin more than watching innocent children suffer for the profit of sinful men.
I could not offer a prayer for people who hurt children were it not for the Spirit of Christmas that reminds me that Christ was born to not only save me from my sins: but Christ was born to save even my enemies from their sins.
I stand opposed to Planned Parenthood and yet in the truest sense of the season I need to gift them with the love of God this Christmas: truth is if I am not very careful I can lose sight not only of the reason for the season but my responsibility to share the reason: the gift, the unconditional love of God which is Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord.
Reflect often upon Romans 5:8 this coming week: think of someone you know and be open to those you meet who like you and me really need to be touched by the undeserved and unconditional love of God. Many are walking away from Planned Parenthood and walking towards the abundant life that is available to everyone in Christ Jesus.
I am grateful for that this Christmas and will be praying for others in Planned Parenthood to turn away from harming innocent children and turn to the innocent child born in Bethlehem centuries ago: the child named Jesus who saves us from our sins and gives us eternal life even though we are undeserving of this wonderful and precious gift.
God's Peace and Merry Christmas,
Jeff
1 comments:
It is interesting to think that a human baby - among the least powerful things in the world, not able to take care of Himself, totally dependent on human father and mother, was also the savior of the world. The creator of the world. The One who conquered death.
While He has the ability to come down to earth and change things, to stop Planned Parenthood, to wipe out sin here and now, He still gives us free will. We can choose right or wrong, hundreds of times a day.
The people from Planned Parenthood, at least its leaders, have chosen a deliberate path of wrong. Murdering innocent babies is not, cannot be right. There are probably others within the organization who are confused or deluded.
And then there are people like you, who pray for the lost (the babies, the mothers, and the organization of Planned Parenthood, as well as those in the community who need Jesus). You have also made a choice, and you are doing right, and inspiring others to do right. Your sermons make it clear what we should do, and you back it up from the Bible. Also, your life makes your choices clear.
I agree - it is not just your human choice that enables you to do the right thing. The Holy Spirit within you (and within me) empowers us to face temptation and choose to do the Godly thing.
And it costs you, in many ways. It cost Jesus His life. And yet it is still the right thing to do.
Bless you, and thank you for showing the way. On Sundays and all the other days that end in "Y".
- Steve
Post a Comment