Monday, February 02, 2004
How important is God to us?
In the light of recent events I do not feel in the slightest in a humourous mood but rather would like to question us all on our priorities. (Really I am questioning myself but feel free to ponder the matter to.)
The sermon last night was on Romans 8 :29-30. Reading through verses 28-32 this morning I was struck by how much God cares for us.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
These words in and of themselves are comforting but when we step back and think what we truly are and how we have rebelled against God it is even more striking. God is a God who made the very heavens. He created the cosmos and more than that he rules over it. How insignificant this makes us look. How great does it make God look. Coupled with that, we have sinned and rebelled against God. We are foul sinful creatures in the eyes of almighty God. And yet, God can still promise all of these things out of love for us. We deserve nothing less than his wrath and yet we are watched by God in all we do every move we make. He has numbered the very hairs on our head.
So why is it that God is often shunted to the side in our lives? Why do we worry about small matters when we should be worrying about the glory of God and bringing that about? Why are we not constantly trying to conform our ways to Christ? Why do we read words like these and accounts in the bible and not stop and wonder at Gods altogether goodness, sovereignty and power?
Thinking through this certainly leaves me ashamed and upset at the way I am. However, nothing will change unless we ask for Gods help and strength which he has promised to all his people.
I'll leave this post with the words of a modern hymn by Stuart Townend. It reminds us of Gods ultimate show of love to hell deserving sinners by sending his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and bring us into union with him.
"In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live"
The sermon last night was on Romans 8 :29-30. Reading through verses 28-32 this morning I was struck by how much God cares for us.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
These words in and of themselves are comforting but when we step back and think what we truly are and how we have rebelled against God it is even more striking. God is a God who made the very heavens. He created the cosmos and more than that he rules over it. How insignificant this makes us look. How great does it make God look. Coupled with that, we have sinned and rebelled against God. We are foul sinful creatures in the eyes of almighty God. And yet, God can still promise all of these things out of love for us. We deserve nothing less than his wrath and yet we are watched by God in all we do every move we make. He has numbered the very hairs on our head.
So why is it that God is often shunted to the side in our lives? Why do we worry about small matters when we should be worrying about the glory of God and bringing that about? Why are we not constantly trying to conform our ways to Christ? Why do we read words like these and accounts in the bible and not stop and wonder at Gods altogether goodness, sovereignty and power?
Thinking through this certainly leaves me ashamed and upset at the way I am. However, nothing will change unless we ask for Gods help and strength which he has promised to all his people.
I'll leave this post with the words of a modern hymn by Stuart Townend. It reminds us of Gods ultimate show of love to hell deserving sinners by sending his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and bring us into union with him.
"In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live"
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