Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
Scripture Quote: But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. (Col. 1:22 MSG)
Before our rebirth, we all had our backs to God, thinking rebellious, negative thoughts about religion and Christians. We were arrogant and ignorant, with big opinions about religious hypocrisy. We had little patience for Believers. Our salvation was the single most transforming, life-altering event in our lives. In one fell-swoop our understanding exploded, all barriers collapsed, and we were able to receive the truth of the marvelous message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - His Spirit took up permanent residence within us.
God accepted Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, making it consistent for God to indulge the benevolence of His nature in pardoning us of our sinfulness. We were reconciled and became willing to dispense with our alienation and acknowledge the love of our Creator and our undeniable sinfulness and guilt. But He disposed of our sin, accepting Christ's atonement which has made us forever changed - We are now holy in His sight. We could never walk away from a gift like that! We can stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, continually aware, careful not to be distracted from Him. This is the Message of the Gospel and we are now messengers of this Message.
Today’s meditation: We are blessed ambassadors for Christ.
Memory Verse: So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all. (Hebrews 10:10 CEV)