Psalms 49:6-9 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death [a] by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. NLT
It is man’s sin nature that equates personal comfort with our Lord’s redemption. We may be abundant in worldly provision and be totally impoverished in our comprehension of what it means to be poor in spirit. Redemption has nothing to do with what we possess or accomplish – it is dependent upon our humble willingness to acknowledge our need and accept our Lord’s sacrifice. We do not secure or enhance our redemption through giving or serving – we simply express our gratitude for our Lord’s undeserved grace and mercy. This does not question our command to care for and provide for the needs of others; but it must define our motive and desire to simply express the heart of a faithful steward. Our goodness, no matter how sacrificial, will never redeem us from sins due penalty. How good is good enough – do I live in poverty or sacrifice my physical life to prove my faith? Those are easy compared to our Lord’s command to take up our cross and willingly give all ambition and desire to His purpose. Through science and medicine, we have extended life into 80 plus years; but all will face the end of mortal existence. The believer has no allusions concerning life’s brevity because our hope and trust rests in the eternal promise of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is man’s sin nature that equates personal comfort with our Lord’s redemption. We may be abundant in worldly provision and be totally impoverished in our comprehension of what it means to be poor in spirit. Redemption has nothing to do with what we possess or accomplish – it is dependent upon our humble willingness to acknowledge our need and accept our Lord’s sacrifice. We do not secure or enhance our redemption through giving or serving – we simply express our gratitude for our Lord’s undeserved grace and mercy. This does not question our command to care for and provide for the needs of others; but it must define our motive and desire to simply express the heart of a faithful steward. Our goodness, no matter how sacrificial, will never redeem us from sins due penalty. How good is good enough – do I live in poverty or sacrifice my physical life to prove my faith? Those are easy compared to our Lord’s command to take up our cross and willingly give all ambition and desire to His purpose. Through science and medicine, we have extended life into 80 plus years; but all will face the end of mortal existence. The believer has no allusions concerning life’s brevity because our hope and trust rests in the eternal promise of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read through the Bible in one year – May 23/ John 8:1-27; 1 Chron. 19,20,21
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.