(Originally written at the same time as the Reflections on Hebrews post)
Now I think of writing this, the list of verses that I sincerely love keep popping into mind. We’ll see how far I get...
Again, I don’t intend to attempt any amazing exposition of these, but read them and digest them for yourself and hopefully be challenged and encouraged. I don’t know if you find this, but its really hard to explain things that have struck you, encouraged you, or depressed you after the moment has passed. And as that is what I’m pretty much expecting to do, you shouldn’t expect much commentary!
[The first one I have removed, as I noticed a trend in some of them, and thus affording them a whole blog post to themselves!]
There is more to be delved into either side, but studying this in a committee meeting last week, I was struck with the very simple fact that v24 comes after v23. Let me explain: I know v23 off by heart. It’s quoted so often in our ‘gospel presentations’, becoming a buzz phrase for the condition of this world, of which is truly a very accurate description of all of us. We have all sinned, and in doing so fallen short of God and His great and immeasurable glory.
But, I have never before noticed that immediately after this crushing verdict, comes v24: “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. No questions. In the same sentence, as if a great beam of light has shone into the verse, God has rescued us by his Grace! I have so often quoted v23 with a downcast heart –which yes, is entirely appropriate because it is so true- without realising in the same sentence we are told of the awesome, yes ‘awesome’ free gift of Grace that is given without question. Do you get my drift? This is where one is again reminded of the ‘better hope’, of wave upon wave of Grace over us, summed up in Romans 5:6 and especially Ephesians 2:4-7. I hope you understand....
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Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Pro 27:17
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13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him/the cross (NIV).
I love how what seems like such a defeat for Jesus, and triumph for evil, in fact...the greatest victory ever! I once saw a friend of mine who was into heavy metal music quote a song lyric on his MSN name thing. Something like: “your washed up religion is broken and dead” –in reference to the cross and Jesus death. But no! He has triumphed over them. God has defeated death once and for all.
I have nothing more to add but sheer awe at the comprehension of the Cross this verse brings, the angle it takes. I hope it moves you too...
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As anyone on my RUCU Events Team or the old RUCU Events Week Planning Team will know, I love 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2. Maybe I will, at another time, ‘expound’ these verses, as I love it so much as to write a blog on it! Now you know you’ve made it when I get round to writing a blog about you/something! Anyway, recently, v15 has really struck me:
15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
2 Corinthians 5:15
We, who live because of what Christ has done, do and should not live for ourselves –I am not to live for myself and my own desires, whims, whatever- but for Him who died for me. I am so convicted of that line in the hymn, ‘When I Survey’ which I love singing so much: ‘Demands my soul, my life, my all...” which, in light of the great and fantastic and awesome thing Christ has done (see Colossians comments above!), demands my whole life to follow him, in the footsteps of Christ and those listed in Hebrews 11 (see previous blog post). Wow. God doesn’t just require our obedience, he deserves it. So that’s what struck me lately.
3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honour and dishonour, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
2 Corinthians 6:3-13
Now I think of writing this, the list of verses that I sincerely love keep popping into mind. We’ll see how far I get...
Again, I don’t intend to attempt any amazing exposition of these, but read them and digest them for yourself and hopefully be challenged and encouraged. I don’t know if you find this, but its really hard to explain things that have struck you, encouraged you, or depressed you after the moment has passed. And as that is what I’m pretty much expecting to do, you shouldn’t expect much commentary!
[The first one I have removed, as I noticed a trend in some of them, and thus affording them a whole blog post to themselves!]
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Romans 3:23-24
There is more to be delved into either side, but studying this in a committee meeting last week, I was struck with the very simple fact that v24 comes after v23. Let me explain: I know v23 off by heart. It’s quoted so often in our ‘gospel presentations’, becoming a buzz phrase for the condition of this world, of which is truly a very accurate description of all of us. We have all sinned, and in doing so fallen short of God and His great and immeasurable glory.
But, I have never before noticed that immediately after this crushing verdict, comes v24: “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. No questions. In the same sentence, as if a great beam of light has shone into the verse, God has rescued us by his Grace! I have so often quoted v23 with a downcast heart –which yes, is entirely appropriate because it is so true- without realising in the same sentence we are told of the awesome, yes ‘awesome’ free gift of Grace that is given without question. Do you get my drift? This is where one is again reminded of the ‘better hope’, of wave upon wave of Grace over us, summed up in Romans 5:6 and especially Ephesians 2:4-7. I hope you understand....
-
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Pro 27:17
Because it’s good to talk, challenge, and talk about Grace and it’s victories in our lives...
-
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him/the cross (NIV).
Colossians 2:13-15
I love how what seems like such a defeat for Jesus, and triumph for evil, in fact...the greatest victory ever! I once saw a friend of mine who was into heavy metal music quote a song lyric on his MSN name thing. Something like: “your washed up religion is broken and dead” –in reference to the cross and Jesus death. But no! He has triumphed over them. God has defeated death once and for all.
I have nothing more to add but sheer awe at the comprehension of the Cross this verse brings, the angle it takes. I hope it moves you too...
-
As anyone on my RUCU Events Team or the old RUCU Events Week Planning Team will know, I love 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2. Maybe I will, at another time, ‘expound’ these verses, as I love it so much as to write a blog on it! Now you know you’ve made it when I get round to writing a blog about you/something! Anyway, recently, v15 has really struck me:
15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
2 Corinthians 5:15
We, who live because of what Christ has done, do and should not live for ourselves –I am not to live for myself and my own desires, whims, whatever- but for Him who died for me. I am so convicted of that line in the hymn, ‘When I Survey’ which I love singing so much: ‘Demands my soul, my life, my all...” which, in light of the great and fantastic and awesome thing Christ has done (see Colossians comments above!), demands my whole life to follow him, in the footsteps of Christ and those listed in Hebrews 11 (see previous blog post). Wow. God doesn’t just require our obedience, he deserves it. So that’s what struck me lately.
-
A similar list to the one in Hebrews that is an inspiring list, can be found in 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, straight after the section just commented on. I decided to keep reading for once...and found the example of Paul so challenging:
A similar list to the one in Hebrews that is an inspiring list, can be found in 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, straight after the section just commented on. I decided to keep reading for once...and found the example of Paul so challenging:
3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honour and dishonour, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
2 Corinthians 6:3-13
Fussing about exams pales into comparison after reading what Paul has gone through. In each of these circumstances, it is a given that God is the same. I read this and know what Paul means in Philippians:
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 3:10-13
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