Some two thousand years ago, God came down to and enter into creation to be our Savior. That alone is an incredible thing to think about, but what's more amazing is the result of His coming. He would begin a work to redeem and secure, to himself, a portion of His own creation. People from every tribe, nation, and tongue are being redeemed from the power of darkness, for His glory. His grace will be known across all creation, and among all people. Those who were once rebels will sing His praise. How amazing a thing that is. That our God can and will cause us, who were once His rebels and enemies, to not just love Him but long for His coming and sing His praises. That's the power of a new heart within us. One that is spiritually alive and soft - made malleable by and for the Lord.
Let His grace be always on our minds, and let us praise Him for His goodness this Christmas Day. Just as He came once many years ago, He will return soon, but this time to judge and rule.
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased."
I hope you have a great Christmas.
If you've read much of what I've posted here in the past, you'd see a common topic repeated. I tend to write a little more frequently about the Puritans and their theology than contemporary Christians or authors, because of my admiration of them.
Not all of them have the same theology, and some did shameful things. They are generally considered in a very negative light by most people, but there were many great and godly Puritans who lived some amazing lives. Those that had a love for God and His people left us with some tremendous insight to glean from.
If you've been following along, how has your time been? Technically today is the beginning of Week 2. However, Gabby and I started a week earlier since we'll be traveling part of the week before Christmas and also, since Christmas is on a Tuesday, week 4 would be short. So here's week 3, in case you may be on the path as us.
The first week was on our Sinful condition, while week 2 was a look over the promises of a Savior given to ancient Israel. This week we're looking at Jesus's claims about Himself and His new covenant. As you read through these reflect on the majesty and grace of God as "He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He
purposed in Him." (Eph 1:9)
Here's week 2 of our Advent Reading Plan with notes included. The previous week was a time to remember our sinfulness. That's always a good place to start, and so I did. Now for this week we'll move to the promises and prophecies of the coming Messiah.
God had established the Mosaic Law for the people of Israel for sin to would become evident to them and they, in turn, would see their need for a Savior. God didn't disappoint. Many promises were given of a great Redeemer and mighty King.
Many times, to many of us, the Gospel is synonymous with evangelism. We'd say, "Preach the Gospel so people can be saved!" but in reality, that's a very shortsighted view of the Gospel. It's not only has the power to save, but it's also the same power that changes us on a daily basis - sanctifies us, conforms us to the image of Christ. I've heard John Piper say once before (loosely quoted): You don't get saved by the Gospel, and then go about becoming holy under your own power, or by some special plan. You don't get saved, and then move on to the real meat. We are to be dependent on it from conversion to death. He references Paul's correction of the Galatians in Gal 3:3-5:
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
(Updated:
And so what we should be saying is, "Please, preach the Gospel, because my soul and spirit need it always!" It is the reminder of God's glory and His work in us.)
Below is an excerpt from a post by Tim Challies on his blog where he discusses the same thing with better words. You can read his entire post, titled "The Heart's Position", here.
I have written often of those authors and pastors who encourage Christians to preach the gospel to themselves every day. I see some of the value of doing this, though my practice of it is too sporadic. What such teachers want us to see is that the gospel is not merely the gateway to the Christian life, but the fuel of the Christian life. What they want us to understand is that the gospel is not simply defensive, the thing we turn to when we have sinned and are eager for some assurance of pardon. Rather, the gospel puts us on the offensive against sin and toward holiness. We ought to continually bring the gospel into our hearts and minds as a means of spurring ourselves to greater love for God which in turn generates a greater desire for obedience to him.
And here he explains how he "preaches the Gospel to himself":
...As I turn to the Bible to read the predictions and prophecies of the coming Messiah, as I consider the narratives of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection, as I ponder the epistles where all of these things are explained and illuminated, as I consider the day of Christ’s return, my love for God and my trust in him must necessarily increase and thrive. As my love swells, so will my desire to do those things that honor him and bring him glory.
...And what has he promised to do? He has promised to make me holy. He has promised to sanctify me, to help me put sin to death and to replace it with joyful obedience. He has promised that the Holy Spirit is operating within my life to bring me into closer conformity with Jesus Christ. He has promised that the very same power that has saved me is now sanctifying me. Now I have hope and confidence that this really is happening and that this really can happen. I really can put sin to death, I really can grow in holiness, I really can grow in Christ-like character and look more and more like the One who saved me.
I simply cannot trust that all of this is happening and that all of this will continue to happen if I have no ability to trust in what has already been accomplished. However, when I trust God for what he has done, now my heart is properly positioned to trust God for all that he has promised to do. And, therefore, the gospel must be my joy and meditation every day.
Some two thousand years ago, God came down to and enter into creation to be our Savior. That alone is an incredible thing to think about, but what's more amazing is the result of His coming. He would begin a work to redeem and secure, to himself, a portion of His own creation. People from every tribe, nation, and tongue are being redeemed from the power of darkness, for His glory. His grace will be known across all creation, and among all people. Those who were once rebels will sing His praise. How amazing a thing that is. That our God can and will cause us, who were once His rebels and enemies, to not just love Him but long for His coming and sing His praises. That's the power of a new heart within us. One that is spiritually alive and soft - made malleable by and for the Lord.