One Important Thing - 2 Corinthians 5:20

Today’s Bible reading can be found at this link: Jeremiah 2:1-22 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-21.

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (NIV)

If there is truly one thing that I would implore all people to be – especially my family, my friends, and my acquaintances – it would be to reconcile themselves to God. Far too many folks miss out on this wonderful opportunity that Jesus has given to the whole world by dying for everyone. Some of us go through life with a notion or an idea about God, thinking that all we need to do is to carry that thought in our head and everything will be alright. We believe that God will understand how busy we are and why we are so focused on what life means to us. We can put God on a shelf or in a box, only to be used in an emergency. But that’s not reconciliation, that’s actually manipulation.

Some folks wonder if God actually exists, so until they get absolute proof, they are going to live their lives the way they think best suits them. They can do what they want, go where they want, and believe what they want. But that’s not reconciliation either, that’s actually delusion.

Other people can follow their own course and reject God entirely. They blame churches and religious institutions for being imperfect. They hold grudges against pastors or church members for failing to live up to their expectations, or for expressing different viewpoints, or for not appeasing their own beliefs. But that’s not reconciliation either, that’s actually self-righteousness.

Being reconciled to God requires humility and submission. It’s the realization that we exist in God’s Life and not the other way around. It’s the recognition that we are imperfect in need of perfection, that we are incomplete in need of completeness, and that we are creatures in need of our Creator. We can do a million things with our lives, but in the end, if we have not reconciled ourselves to God, then not one of those achievements will actually matter; however, if we are reconciled to God, then all of those things we have accomplished will matter forever. The key to such eternal happiness is reconciliation with God. As C.S. Lewis once wrote:

“I do not think that all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road.” – in other words, to be reconciled to God means getting back on the right path to God.

Point to ponder

Am I reconciled to God or have I let something get in the way?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Gospels tell us that You are the way to God and through Your sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God forever. Help us to understand that this is not a given, it is actually an offer. Grant us the courage to humble ourselves, so we may be reconciled to God from this time forth. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM – you will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “Heaven’s Highway.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Highway.

4 Minute Devotions: Band Aids

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

The current economic situation gives us a wonderful opportunity, as Christians, to show our support to those who have greatest needs. We have a faith that not only gives us comfort in times of despair, but it also grants us the confidence not to be enslaved by our worries, anxieties, or fears. If Christians are insecure about life, then what is the point of our faith?

Last night, when I was watching the College Football Game for a while, I marveled at the Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. It wasn’t his playing that captivated me, but the fact that below his eyes he had placed two black band aids which read John 3:16. To the whole watching audience, Tim Tebow was using the broadcasted game to tell others that he was a Christian.

To some people, this might have looked like a piece of religious arrogance, but to me it reflected Christian confidence. He was going out to battle for his team and whether he lost or won, he was using the opportunity to let others know about his faith.

During this time of recession, a lot of people are going to have their confidence down-sized and their resources diminished. That’s when the church can step in to offer the opportunity of faith, compassion, and care. It’s a perfect time to witness for the Lord. It’s the right occasion to show others what God can do.

So today, let’s think about our families and friends, neighbors and colleagues who are going through tough times. And let’s also have the confidence to step up to the mark and offer them the friendship, understanding, and support that they need.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, these are tough days for all of us and many people are fearful about their future. Help us, as Your servants, to show them how faith works through good deeds, acts of compassion, and complete confidence in You, Your power, and Your Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: The Secret of Success

An attitude of gratitude, especially towards God, paves the way for us to be more confident about what we do, and can lead us to success.

Podcast Version here

I’ve tried hard to overcome this failing of mine, but I can’t abide ungrateful people. I guess it’s because I grew up with so little that I feel the need to thank God for everything each day. When I see people in trouble, experiencing illness, or going through a crisis, they usually want God’s help. They turn to Him and the Church for guidance, counsel, support, and wisdom. After the crisis has been averted, most people are very thankful to God and keep on worshipping Him. They remember His kindness and use their experiences to help other people in similar circumstances.

Sadly, throughout my twenty five years in ministry, I have come across a handful of people who don’t change. I’ve seen God do mighty things in their lives and even what I would call miracles, but it didn’t change their character, their pride, or their ungrateful ways. And that just frosts and frustrates me. I guess it’s what Jesus calls ‘casting pearls before pigs.’ They just take the goodness and kindness from their blessings, and end up trampling the beauty of God’s gifts in the mud.

2 Chronicles32:25 But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

Hezekiah was a great king. In fact, he is one of my favorite characters from the whole Bible. But he also had some pride issues, which had to be dealt with and overcome. I am so glad that he managed to deal with his ingratitude and turned things around so that, as the Bible states, ‘He succeeded in everything he undertook.’ His new attitude of gratitude gave him a creed to succeed.

The lesson for all of us today is this: have we taken God’s goodness for granted and turned away from His blessings? Have we forgotten how to thank Him for His loving kindness, even for the kindness of granting us another day?

Prayer: Lord God, You have intervened in each of our lives and there have been many moments when we have called upon You for help. You have remained faithful to us; we are sorry if we have failed to do the same. Enable us to clearly see how much You have blessed, transformed, and even saved our lives. May we never take those blessings for granted, and may we always worship You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.