Chilling at the crib tonight. I started reading C.J. Mahaney’s book called “Christ Centered Life”. It is a short book of 84 pages, however, the message is right on target. I just finished up the chapters on Legalism and Condemnation. The thesis of the book is the gospel must be the first thing in our lives. Even after salvations, it is the gospel that works in our sanctification. We do not have to work to achieve God’s acceptance or forgiveness. It is solely based on Jesus sacrifice… taking the wrath of the Father on himself… Suffering my hell… It is through Jesus intercession with the Father that I have access to come boldly before the throne of Grace to find help and mercy in times of need. It is refreshing to dwell on that.
This morning I was thinking about my blog post over at sojournhuntsville.org about my lack of faith. I as thinking about the story in Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
That was my prayer this morning, “I believe; help my unbelief!” I often wonder what in my life am I trusting God for, such that it will not happen apart from his divine intervention? I can see that kind of faith on a Sojourn level… but what about an individual level?
I was also thinking and meditating on Phil. 3:7-11
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
It is easy to pray “I want to know him” or “I want the power of the resurrection manifested in my life”. It is another thing altogether to pray to have part in his suffering and death. Following Jesus requires me to loose everything. It demands picking up a cross and following him… and not look back. It demands I loose my life.
Much to meditate and pray over…
Gal.2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
