Wednesday

Praise for Salvation

In I Timothy 1, Paul urges Timothy to stand strong against false teachings in the Ephesian church and lead in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul cannot hold back his praise and adoration of God for the precious gift of salvation, and in verse 17 he burst out praises, “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Paul is keenly aware of his past life apart from a true knowledge of Jesus Christ. He remembers being humbled and transformed on the road to Damascus. He knows his fierce persecution of the church. He pictures where he would be apart from salvation. He knows his past and present sin. A02340202.3.nd he deeply appreciates his saving Lord.

I am inspired and challenged by Paul’s example. Do I understand my natural and pervasive sinful nature? Do I truly value God’s freeing me from the rule and power of sin in my life? Do I treasure my Savior and my salvation? At times I do, but often I take these for granted.

What about you? Join me today in praying for more gratefulness for salvation? Let’s pray that God would help us to understand the depths of our sin and the amazing salvation we enjoy.

Monday

Is Your God Active or Passive?

In Basic Christianity John Stott states, “Many people visualize a God who sits comfortably on a distant throne, remote, aloof, uninterested, and indifferent to the needs of mortals, until, it may be, they can badger him into taking action on their behalf. Such a view is wholly false. The Bible reveals a God who, long before it even occurs to man to turn to him, while man is still lost in darkness and sunk in sin, takes the initiative, rises from his throne, lays aside his glory, and stoops to seek until he finds him.”

How do you view God? Do you think of him as distant and unaware of your circumstances? Do you think of him as passive and waiting for you to call on him?

Because we cannot see God, it can be easy for us to forget about him or to think he is not always present. But believing he is indifferent or uninterested is wrong.

The Bible describes God as all-knowing, everywhere, and sustaining all. He is an infinite God who cares about individual, finite beings like you and me. He created the world, including mankind. He initiates a relationship with individual humans. He calls us to be his sons and daughters. And he conforms us to the image of his Son.

We serve an active God, which should give us peace and joy. We can pray to him with confidence that he hears us and will act according to his will. We can trust him because we know he is up to the task and will guide and comfort us in life.

What an amazing God we have!!!