THE GIVER AND THE RECEIVER

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”  (John 3:16 NRSV)

Gifts require two parties, a giver and a receiver. The right motivation of a giver is love -- no strings attached. The right attitude of the receiver is to accept the gift with gratitude -- no hoops to jump through.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9 NSRV) 

-- Adapted from Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose in “Pathway to God's Treasure: Ephesians”

#5319

PUT RIGHT WITH GOD

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”  (Romans 5:1-2 NIV)

“Justify” or “put right” alludes to a courtroom where a person is acquitted, pronounced free to go, no charges. It suggests alignment, being in right relationship. That is, the relation to God is made right. Justification is rectification. God in Christ gives us access to undeserved favor and therefore to peace with God. Christ’s work, through faith, moves us from wrath to peace and to our hope of one day sharing the glory of God (Romans 5:2).

What Paul is saying is astounding. Christ’s death is literally God’s love. Not God loving us because of who we are; rather, God loving us in spite of who we are -- sinners, powerless to do what is right, enemies of God. Nothing about us merits God’s love. Yet, “God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Now we can boast. We can boast of Jesus (Romans 5:11). 

-- Richard and Julia Wilke in “DISCIPLE: Remember Who You Are”

#5318

OVERFLOWING WITH HOPE

SPECIAL NOTE: Today, March 29, marks the 23^rd anniversary of this SOUND BITES Ministry in memory of our son, Dustin, who had died on this date the previous year (1998). Over 5300 quotes have been sent out since SOUND BITES began. This past year the Covid-19 pandemic has continued to impact our world, affecting us all in so many varying ways. Over six million have died from it globally. And now the war in Ukraine is taking more lives, and displacing millions. These are tough times, but because Jesus lives, we can have hope -- not just a trickle of hope, but “OVERFLOWING HOPE”; not just for this life, but for our life to come. As we continue through Lent, let today’s SOUND BITES quote speak to you, and then share it with others.  -- DW

 

OVERFLOWING WITH HOPE

A friend recently sent me a card that read, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  (Romans 15:3)

When I think about that single statement, I am reminded that:

          -- God is the source of all hope;

          -- He is even now seeking to fill my body with not just joy and peace, but all joy and peace;

          -- Joy and peace go hand in hand with trusting in God;

          -- His desire is that I should not just contain hope, but overflow with hope to others;

          -- This process is dependent not on my power, but the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me.

There are a lot of distracting thoughts that can occupy my mind these days. Meditating on Scripture is an important part of keeping my mind focused on Christ.  

-- Adapted from John Ortberg in “If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat”

#5317

GOODNESS AND MERCY

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  (Psalm 23:6 NKJV)

If the Lord is the shepherd who leads the flock, goodness and mercy are the two sheepdogs that guard the rear of the flock. Goodness and mercy. Not goodness alone, for we are sinners in need of mercy. Not mercy alone, for we are fragile, in need of goodness. We need them both. As F. B. Meyer wrote in “The Shepherd Psalm,”  “Goodness to supply every need. Mercy to forgive every sin. Goodness to provide. Mercy to pardon.”

Goodness and mercy -- the central escort of God’s flock. If that duo doesn’t reinforce your faith, try this phrase: “All the days of my life.”

What a huge statement. Look at the size of it! Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day! Think of the days that lie ahead. What do you see? Days at home with only toddlers? God will be at your side. Days in a dead-end job? He will walk you through. Days of loneliness? He will take your hand. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me -- not some, not most, not nearly all -- but all the days of my life. 

-- Max Lucado in “Traveling Light: The Promise of Psalm 23”

#5316

THE ONENESS OF THE BODY

The apostle makes a bold affirmation of the unity of the church by calling us to bear with one another in love by making every effort “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Paul declares this common mission of the body of Christ by lifting a piece of liturgy out of the worship life of the early church. It may be an affirmation of faith or a part of the baptismal liturgy: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

It would be impossible to miss his use of the word “one.” It appears seven times in that single sentence, and it is reinforced by his repetition of the word “all” in the final phrase.

Paul wants there to be no doubt that there are no solo performers in the orchestra of God’s grace, no starring actors in the drama of God’s love. We are bound together in the oneness of the body of Christ. 

-- James A. Harnish in “A Disciple’s Path: Deepening Your Relationship with Christ and the Church” 

#5315