Reading With the People of God - #4 ComfortExemplo

Knowing the source of our only comfort in life and death is one thing, but experiencing the comfort of belonging to Christ is another.

The gospel is our invitation to experience the joy of belonging to Jesus; we experience this joy in the three-step rhythm of repentance, faith, and gratitude. This is not meant to be a one-time, get-out-of-hell-free card but an ongoing, never-ending "coming to Jesus, growing in Jesus, and going with Jesus" lifestyle.

Let's be intentional today and pursue these rhythms in our lives!

1. REPENTANCE: Confess how great your sin and misery are. Pray this out today! It would help if you stepped out of denial; the truth is, we are all miserable in our sins, stuck, and there is no way out on our own. To know the good news, you first need to understand the severity of the bad news: you need a savior!
2. FAITH: Confess how you are set free from all your misery and sin. Pray this out today! There is only one way into the joy of belonging to Jesus: personal, saving faith in Jesus as savior and Lord.
3. GRATITUDE: Confess your gratitude to God for delivering you from your sin and misery! Pray this out today! What other response could there be to the length God went to save you than gratitude?

Memorization Challenge of the Month:

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 2

Q2. What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?

A2. Three things:

first, how great my sin and misery are; second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance

Today's prayer of illumination:

Lord, reveal our sin and misery, leading us to repentance. Strengthen our faith in Jesus, who sets us free. Fill us with gratitude for Your saving grace. Help us live out these rhythms daily, experiencing the joy of belonging to Christ. Amen.