January 2, 2014
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4-5 New American Standard
Anyone can approach Jesus with any condition: Their life may be in ruins .. and they are welcomed into the light of His life. Their life can be full on the outside and yet empty on the inside .. and they are welcomed into the light of his presence. Their life could be lost .. and they are welcomed by the name that changes their life to found. Your life is probably found within the boundary markers above. The light of Jesus’s life shines into the darkest fears and deepest secrets of every human heart. There is nowhere to hide except in the very dark deceptions where the light of his life found you to begin ‘with’. And what do you find to help you .. lift you .. and free you from such places in your heart and life? The name of Jesus. God could have overwhelmed you with power, but instead invites you to open your heart to a name. Behind that name is a common carpenter’s son who is ridiculed for the ungodlike behavior of serving diseased men and women .. eating with the socially unacceptable .. and offering forgiveness to the disabled and morally bankrupt. Your life is probably found among the groups of men and women Jesus stopped and gave everything ‘for’. The Name of Jesus saves lost .. weary .. disillusioned .. tormented .. overwhelmed .. suffering .. un-connected .. socially ill-fitting .. and outwardly-proper-inwardly-desperate men and women. Your life was found ‘through’ these very places. You can call on the name of Jesus in any situation .. any condition .. any place .. any moment .. at anytime. There is no other name on earth that offers such hope .. promise .. and life. And that makes your life worth more than all the silver and gold on this planet. There is no other name. It only takes a moment …
“Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.” Acts 4:12 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Followers of the Name and friends of Priority One (kchesterp1@gmail.com)