We were not on sale when Jesus Christ redeemed us! In fact, Jesus paid a very high price for us. 1 Peter 1: 18-19 says, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” Yes! His blood was precious and He shed it for us. Let us meditate on this truth this Holy Week.
C.S. Lewis once said, “The only thing Christianity cannot be is moderately important.”
If Jesus is who He says He is, if He saved us from all our sins and did what He said He was going to do – if God’s word is true, it deserves everything we’ve got. He’s not a piece of the pie along with our career and hobbies. He’s the whole pie. If it’s not true then let’s not bother going to church anymore, or else we’re just kidding ourselves.
The only thing Christianity cannot be is moderately important. The casual Christian is a contradiction of terms. We’re either passionate about loving God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength or, very simply put, we’re not.
Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Believing and applying the principle of sowing and reaping can be helpful enough to make a person fear the consequences of wrong actions. But maturity is seen in a person who is not just motivated to obey because of the fear of the consequences but is motivated by a right fear of God. The one that is careful not to bring displeasure because he loves his God aside from the knowledge that God will hold as all accountabe someday.
It’s Sunday again and it will be another day to worship the Lord with the church congregation. How encouraging it is to sing praises to God together, immerse in His presence with other brothers and sisters in Christ and listen to God’s word together. I hope that every week, we make preparations for Sunday worship as a family but most especially as an individual. Let us honor the Lord and give Him the glory and honor He deserves. Sleep early so you won’t be late for the church service. Remember, you have an appointment with the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Matthew 2:2 “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
Usually during Christmas gifts are opened, parties, celebration and gatherings of families are held, special food is prepared and everything is expected to be fun. But, is this what Christmas is about? I don’t mean to say that these are wrong, but if Christmas is just about these then they are wrong indeed. The heart of Christmas is Christ and we can see from the above passage how the wise men, people who were seeking the King, searched and traveled far away to pay their respects – what a great example of sacrificial worship.
This Christmas day, may we never forget to worship Jesus and make that the center of our celebration and fun. Merry Christmas to all!
Luke 1:46-47 “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…’”
From this first two verses of what is more popularly known as ‘The Magnificat’, Mary exemplifies what true worship is. She shows that true worship is internal. By using synonymous terms such as ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ she expresses what is in the totality of her inner being.
True worship is not about the religious practices and the other external things. It is about what happens in our minds, hearts and will as we express our love to God. So let us not be carreless and superficial as we go about the things that a Christian must do. Remember, God sees what is in our hearts and that’s what matters the most.
