August 24, 2009
“Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.” 1 Peter 2:4-5 The Message
Are you an offering …?
Today is another day: The pressure is on .. to make something that may or may not be approved as acceptable in the world you live. The pressure is on .. just like it was yesterday and all the yesterdays before. The pressure is on .. what will you make of yourself? But Jesus .. the thrown out one .. offers you the vibrant life you long for. You no longer have to serve all the internal urgings and external poisons that leave you un-approved .. un-acceptable .. and un-loved. God wants all the thrown-out-places and all the sin-miseries of your life. He started with His Son’s life .. the Forever-First-Stone of Resurrection Life. And next .. He wants your life .. cleaned up .. made holy .. cross-approved for the sanctuary He is building. All of your yesterdays are turned into Risen-todays. Could it be any clearer? Your life with all of its days .. months .. and years becomes an offering for Christ’s life today. The empty places of your heart are filled with the resurrection-vibrancy of Jesus-the-source-of-life. He goes room by room: dis-eased memories .. unseen pasts .. life-choking sins .. room by room: cleaning .. clearing away .. creating new life in you. The pressure has been replaced by the Presence of Jesus .. your life an offering. It only takes a moment …
“Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life — no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection.” Romans 6:6-7 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Christ-approved Followers and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
