Filed under: Uncategorized
Before you read my post today, look below and read Jonathan’s post. His will serve your soul and fill you with gratitude toward God.
Today, I’m just gonna ask questions. I’ve talked about food before, but we never came to real, solid conclusions. So, let’s start with restaurants. Which restaurants are manly/ok for men to eat at and like? Which one’s aren’t? What kinds of foods should a guy avoid and what’s ok? With your answers, please offer CONVINCING or funny explanations. Like, is it ok for a guy to love Panera? Is it acceptable for a guy to order a salad at a steak house? Can I order a yogurt parfait and still consider myself male? Can guys eat salads with craisins or oranges on them? And so forth… Let it fly boys!
Kevin
Filed under: Devotions
by Jonathan Oldacre
I was reading in Romans this morning and one of the notes in my Reformation Study Bible reminded me of a fundamental truth in Scripture. God loved me before He sent Jesus Christ to die for me! Here’s what Romans 5:6-7 says:
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This truth is transforming both personally and relationally.
Personally, it reminds me that God’s love for me is not even based on me! Out of His own goodness, mercy, and lovingkindness God decided to intervene in my sin-wrecked life in order to save me. God loves me because He loves me…think about that! You were weak, dead in your sin, unresponsive to God, actually hostile toward Him, and He loved you. In fact God expressed His love amazingly and historically by sending His own Beloved Son to die in your place. God’s grace truly is amazing!
Relationally, I am called to treat others as God has treated me. That means no stink-eye for those who I feel have offended me, sinned against me, or wronged me. That means bitterness and self-righteousness are completely out of place. I am called to treat others graciously, as God has treated me, loving others, pursuing others with kindness and mercy, desiring to bless and serve others. God has blessed me with eternal life in Christ…and then I’m going to go choke my brother to get what I think I’m owed (Matthew 18:21-35)? What a distortion of grace!
Let’s allow the gospel to transform us personally and relationally today! Thank God for His grace today!
