Sin is the rebellion of our will against God’s will. The gospel of Christ proposes to transform us back into people who submit to the will of their Creator. So obviously, there can be no rightful response to God’s grace without obedience (Luke 6:46).
We have to stretch our minds to accept that there could be books written in human language that ultimately came from God’s own spirit (2 Peter 1:21), but that is exactly the claim made for “the Scriptures.” We dare not bandy them about carelessly!
What have we done with what we’ve heard, however much or little that may be? The real question is not whether we’ve heard, but whether we’ve listened. We’ve “heard” enough truth to save the world. But are we paying attention? Is the truth sinking in?
The heavens declare the glory of God. Every part of the world is full of wonder, obviously, but isn’t there something special about the sky? We need to admire it more — and think more deeply about why it is that the sky moves our hearts as it does.
Paul argued that God’s “eternal power and divine nature” are clearly seen “in the things that have been made.” Many have agreed, including Joseph Addison, who was no fool when he wrote, “The Hand that made us is Divine.” The evidence tells us this!
As the head, Christ is deeply concerned about the body’s healthy functioning. He died to make the church possible, and having done that, there is nothing He wouldn’t do to provide for its ongoing needs. His nurturing of the church is without measure.
Sacrifice is what shows the extent of love. Christ did more than say words of love concerning us; He gave Himself for us. So let’s celebrate Christ’s sacrifice. And let’s not be reluctant to celebrate the church which, by His love, became His bride.
In its universal sense, the church consists of those who have been saved by Christ. Sometimes, however, the church forgets that it has been saved — or even that it needed to be saved. Surely, we ought to sing more often “Hallelujah! What a Savior!”
Christ’s glory is closely related to the glory of His people. These people — broken and fallible, but forgiven and growing in holiness as they learn from their mistakes — are the church, the people who “embody” Christ and glorify God the Father.
If we’re thinking rightly, we will drink in every bit of truth that God has shared with us about Himself, eagerly wanting not only to know it but to act on it, hoping always to respond to God with a more perfect blend of reverence and gratitude.
