some of the most fundamental aspects of the gospel are being re-awakened in my heart lately.
partly thanks to the author, Elyse Fitzpatrick, and partly because of a dear friend that has also been experiencing the same thing... basking in Jesus! but ultimately, Jesus is opening my eyes to see more of the glories of the gospel and it is seriously blowing my mind and changing my heart!
i've always seemed to get weighed down by my works... my sins... comparing myself with others... feeling like i'll never get it right... oh the weight of carrying such a burden! why don't we just give up?
"that would seem reasonable if it weren't for the gospel. the gospel teaches us that instead of focusing on ourselves and our closely clinging sin, we've got to focus on, to consider, Jesus. we've got to look away from our sin, whether because its alluring and drawing us toward it or because it's condemning and pushing us into ourselves and away from the Savior. we must patiently focus all out attention on him. we've got to think on, ponder on, consider, Jesus. every aspect of the gospel is meant to encourage us in our war against sin. of coarse, we should be aware enough of our sin that we seek to repent of it and are grateful for the cross, but thats not where our thoughts should settle. our thoughts should be steadfastly riveted on what Jesus has done. he began our faith, and he's committed to bring it all to completion. we will have victory!" Elyse Patrick Comforts from the Cross
this is the best news i have ever heard!
but there is more...
when i get angry at ray.... i must remember Jesus never got angry at ray. that has been credited to me! when i sinfully judge... i must remember Jesus never sinfully judged. that has been credited to me!! when i gossip... i must remember that Jesus never gossiped. that has been credited to me!!!
no matter what i have done... Christ's righteousness is credited to my account. i am learning what it means to apply this to everyday life... being a nurse, a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, and a friend!
and that brings me to the next INCREDIBLE, MIND-BLOWING part of the gospel...
"be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as Christ in God forgave you!"
How much easier it is to forgive your husband, your mom, your children, or your friend... when you think on how much Christ in God forgave you! You see the nails in His hands for you... and then you immediately see the nails in His hands for them too!
these are all things i have heard about my whole life from my parents, read about for years, seen lived out in my church, and i believe these truths are tucked away in my heart... but i am overwhelmed that Jesus would open up my eyes to see Him more clearly... to love Him more than i ever thought i could... and to see the gospel in a new way... a way that frees me from selfish ambition, a way that breaks loose the chains of legalism... a way that turns my marriage upside down and causes me to see my husband in a whole new light... a way that makes me anticipate each day with my son, praying that i can make Jesus beautiful to him... a way that makes me want to run to my neighbors and my family and tell them this good good news! it is life-giving!
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been THROWN DOWN, who accuses them day and night before our God." Revelation 12:10
live today applying the gospel to your life... not because your told to do it... or because it sounds good... or just because its the moral thing to do... do it because He loved you so much that He sent His precious Son, who lived a perfect life, to die for you, to be raised for you, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father!
