THANKFUL

Friday, May 10, 2019

Good morning, Jesus

Thank You, Lord God, that You saved us from the consequences of sin and spiritual death, eternal separation from You. Our salvation sets us apart from this world’s godless and agnostic systems of living. In addition, You go a step further, Lord, and call us ‘holy,’ but not because of our good deeds or noble activities we may have done in attempts to earn our salvation. No, Lord God, You also saved us from the bondage that religion demands of us. Christianity is not obtained by doing good works, attending classes, behaving in certain ways, or ‘turning over a new leaf,’ trying to gain Your favor. Many good, moral religious folks are frustrated, carrying guilt and shame, unable to shake on their own some harmful habits or temptations that they believe is keeping them from salvation. Lord, open their spiritual eyes to Your truths.

Your Word in 2 Timothy 1:9 reinforces a great truth. God has saved us [read me] from sin and now calls us [insert your name here] holy. We receive this title not by our human efforts but only by placing our trust in the redemptive sacrifice of You, Lord Jesus, on the cross. We’re grateful that as Christ-followers, we are free from man’s well-intentioned, but burdensome religious demands that places the responsibility for our salvation on our behaviors. Religion says we must do more to be saved than just having faith in You, Jesus, because only believing is way too easy. A popular meme states Your truth so clearly: “Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with You, Lord God.” And Lord, it happens every time. Good works just seem to follow those who have trusted Jesus.

Thank You for making us holy, Lord Jesus. Amen.