August 19, 2009
“They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing.” 1 Peter 2:23-24 The Message
What does this new life look like …?
Your new life in Jesus is a life that expands, not by achieving .. accomplishing .. acquiring .. making deals .. bargaining .. earning .. scheming .. but through death. Jesus dies at your worst places .. your worst thoughts about God .. your worst of everything places that sow death inside of you. And then it happens .. resurrection life .. a life we are incapable of living or sustaining on our own. A life of Son-friendship and Son-acceptance .. an acceptance unlike anything we have ever known or can conceive. It is a pure friendship that wants only your best in everything for your life and love. And when it happens and continues to deepen in your life .. Jesus expands his life into the very places you tried to hide and the very places that house hidden enemies of shame .. guilt .. accusations .. blame .. self-punishments .. seductive illusions and addictions .. and contaminated condemnations. Grace .. Grace .. Grace .. It is an on and on life of God putting you together in a wholeness that you have only dreamed about. JesusLife is shalom .. wholeness .. peace .. rest ..energy .. strength like no other .. love that grows sweeter .. and friendships that grow seamlessly into lives all around you. You can give it away because the life of Jesus keeps expanding on the inside .. growing deeper. It only takes a moment …
If, when were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!” Romans 5:10 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Ever-Expanding Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
