2:10-11 - By offering undeserved forgiveness we show that we see the way of Christ as better and it wars against the chaos that Satan loves to bring through the cycle of ever increasing vengeance.
2:17 - We are not cheap con-artists peddling the product of Christ for personal gain...we are men and women who have been called by God to preach Christ because we believe it is a matter of life and death/meaning vs. confusion for the whole world.
3:14-16 - Have I allowed aspects of my cultural upbringing blind me from the Spirit of Jesus Christ and His message? Are there parts of His way that I refuse to acknowledge or live out because of what I prefer or where I am from? Almost certainly. May I turn everything over to Jesus Christ so that the veil will be removed and I can see the true life I am supposed to live as His disciple.
3:18 - When we look unveiled at the glory of God, we will be transformed...we will be irrevocably changed...it will drive us to one step at a time become more and more like Jesus Christ. I want that. God give me the strength to chase after you with open eyes and an open heart.
2 comments:
The writer talks about punishing someone and then forgiving and helping them back on their feet. I think too often we punish and neglect. Help them back up – someday, you may be there too.
I like what the Message says in 15-16 - Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.
Kind of interesting – back in the OT, burnt offerings were said to give off a pleasing aroma to God – and now, because of Christ – we do.
Like the comment on how the lost treat us – look around – talk to someone you don’t know and then tell them you are a Christian – unless they are one too, watch them change, get defensive, etc.
Be different – act like Jesus.
Peace,
j
ps – chp3 – I like how the Message compares the Law and Jesus - 9 -11 If the Government of Condemnation was impressive, how about this Government of Affirmation? Bright as that old government was, it would look downright dull alongside this new one. If that makeshift arrangement impressed us, how much more this brightly shining government installed for eternity?
Great comparison.
I remember in the movie "Fireproof", there comes a point where the husband is following by the letter of the law what he should do to save his marriage. There was no passion or zeal; he just wanted to do enough to get by. After he comes to Christ, and becomes privy to the love of Christ, it changes his attitude. Still following the letter of the law, he begins to gain more and more ground to saving his marriage because he truly has changed! What Christ did for him and taught him about love changed the way he was going about things, and eventually led to saving the marriage.
Cheesy movie, I know. But the main idea is that if Christ truly rules within you, things are different. And it's momentum based; the longer you are consistently pursuing Christ, the bigger the difference! 10 years of following Christ is greater than 2 sets of 5 years following Christ!
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