Read John 15:1-17. The phrase from this passage that stands out the most to me is found in verse 15: “I no longer call you servants … instead I have called you friends.” This speaks to me of a different kind of God – a God who desires a relational connection to each of us. That echoes throughout the passage, of course, with the imagery of branches connected to the vine. But to be considered a friend of Jesus is a far more intimate image for me. As with any friendship, I need to cultivate that friendship, spending time with Him, talking to Him, listening to Him. That’s my goal today.
I love how this passage of scripture magnifies the greatness of Jesus' gift. One man's disobedience brought sin for all, but one man's obedience brought forgiveness for all. How undeserving I am to be given forgiveness like this when I am a constant sinner. Glory be to God for this incredible gift!
ReplyDeleteI had trouble connecting with this passage in the NIV, so I went to read the translation in the Message. Here's verse 18: Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life!
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the idea that the two acts (Adam's and Christ's) were not "equal but opposite" but that Christ's was more. It reminded me of "I have come so they might have life, and have it more abundantly".
Christ's gift of life is so much more than the absence of death.
What an amazing, undeserving and gracious gift we've received in Jesus: forgiveness of sin, eternal life and salvation in his name. It doesn't get much better than this!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to have God's abundant provision of grace.
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