All Things NewSample

Preaching the Gospel to yourself

You’re kneeling, nose to the ground. You’ve come for help. This is the only place to get it. Terror is your companion. Living life this way is unbearable. Shame. Guilt. Brokenness. Alienated. Failed. Hopeless. You cannot continue this path. Your only hope is in your Creator. But you have rebelled. You chose your way instead of God’s. Independence. You deserve what you’ve gotten and your Creator is justified in an eternal punishment.

But only your Creator can help. Mercy is your only chance and it seems inconceivable. By your own judgment, He should wipe you from existence. There you kneel, frozen in fear, silent, trembling, afraid to look up.

Someone is standing in front of you. Is this the end? Are you getting what you deserve? You raise your head just enough to see a pair of feet. Scarred feet. A hand on your shoulder beckoning you to rise and look into His eyes. “Its alright. I’ve taken care of your punishment.” Sobbing. More sobbing. On the Son’s shoulder no less. Hours pass.

Having forgotten your need for help, you speak the only thing that makes sense to you. “Abba. Here. Take my life, all that I am. We already know what happens to it in my possession.” Abba replies, “Thank you my chosen one. I have given you the Holy Spirit. You are now a royal priest, part of a holy nation, a people for my own possession. You have offered your life to me. Take it back up and go proclaim my excellences as the one who called you out of darkness into my marvelous light. You shall offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to me through my Son. Go. By my divine power I have granted you all things that pertain to life and godliness through your relationship with my Son who has called you to his own glory and excellence.”

It’s good to remember. 2 Peter 1:9 says, “For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” So don’t forget. Preach the gospel to yourself. Personalize it. “It is the power of God to us who are being saved.” 1Cor 1:18

Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Reflection

· Is the Gospel good news for you today? Not just for eternity. Read 1 Peter 2:1-10 and look for the good news.

· Is there a fear holding you back from your call? Hold that fear up to the gospel, even the good news shared in this passage, and see which is standing in the end.

· Who are you desperate to share your good news with? Go tell them of His excellences and how you have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light by receiving mercy.