The Exchange at the cross

Perhaps the ultimate demonstration of God's unconditional love was sending his son into the world for our sake and all that this entailed. There were at least nine advantages to the believer today based on that event. 1) He was punished so that we might be forgiven. (Isaiah 53). 2) He was wounded that we might be healed. (1 Peter 2 v 24) 3) He took the sin of our sinfulness that we might be made righteous with his righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5 v 21) 4) He tasted death that we might know life. (Galatians 3 v13) 5) He endured poverty that we might know abundance. 6) He endured shame that we might know glory. (Matthew 27 v35). 7) He knew rejection that we might know acceptance. 8) He endured total isolation that we might know true fellowship (Matthew 27 v 45) (Psalm 68 v 6) and 9) He endured Hell that we might know Heaven (1 Peter 3 v 19-20). He has also limited his plan for mankind to the church and we have the priveledge of sharing the good news. (2 Peter 3 v 9.). It is his wish that we should be his hands feet and mouth to plunder Hell and populate Heaven. Living in our current dispensation we know of a blessing previously unheard of. May God grant his church with revelation.

Let the humble be exalted

The dictionary definition of the word humble is a bit different from the Biblical one. We often associate the word with having a low estimate of ourselves whereas the Bible associates the term as agreeing with God who has a very high opinion of us: if indeed we are his children . When I was younger I used to have a very low opinion of myself and said words to the effect of 'I am guilty of a lot of sins but I have no trouble with pride, my self image is naturally low.' It was then somebody suggested that I had inverted pride as I was in direct disagreement with God. I had never thought of this.

What it means to humble is to agree with God.

As Christians our self-esteem comes through 'being in' Christ. Which is why the apostle paul talks about our 'strength being perfected in weakness'

Healing

There is one important aspect to God's unconditional love and that is healing. Isaiah 53 it says in verse 4 'surely he took away our infirmities' and in verse 5 it states 'by his wounds we are healed'. This theme is repeated in Psalm 103 v3 where it brings together both forgivenesss and healing in one verse. The theme of healing is central to the gospels and also to the book of Acts.

It still remains something of a mystery to me why many Godly people remain sick and disabled. All I can do is quote what the Bible says.

The Road Less Travelled

One aspect of God's unconditional love is the manner inwhich God uses apparently awful situations to bring about blessing. A defining scripture in this respect is Matthew 5 v 4 that says 'blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted'. If this sentiment requires conformation it comes in James 1 v 3 which says 'consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds'. Indeed the ultimate place of unexpected blessing is the cross of Christ. On the face of it total defeat, total injustice - the complete opposite, it would appear of everything Jesus said and did. It seemed on the surface to be the ultimate tragedy .....but yet.......we all know in hindsight that it was the ultimate victory.

Phillippians 2 expresses it superbly when in verse 8 it says 'And being found in appearence as a man, he (Jesus) humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross'.

But it follows on: therefore God exalted him to the highest place and has given him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, both in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord - to the glory of God the Father.

God is amazing!!

The cross and buriel preceeds resurrection.

I have recently become aware in a new way of the extent of my dependence on others and personal approval - I love being praised by men. I crave praise and affirmation from men and appear to take for granted the love of God. I am not fully aware how strong this impulse is but am becoming more aware. I am also addicted to comforts outside of God. I am still very self-sufficient and independent. Proverbs 1 v 7 states 'the fear of God is the begininng of wisdom'. Whilst I do have this reverence and respect it isn't nearly enough. I remain very concerned about the way people see me. God is amazingly gracious, I can grasp that but nowhere nearly enough. I still have alot to do before I can say that I have died to self.

Reputation

People put a lot of store by reputation and image. We want to be liked and need to be needed. The problem is no matter how hard we try to be popular it seems that there will always be someone who dislikes us. If we put ourselves out to be kind some people are suspicious even of this. It is much easier to be true to ourselves, to our conscience and to God. This may not pay immediate rewards but it gives us peace of mind and peace generally. It can also give us a clear conscience which is a precious commodity.

For reputation and image come and go but the truth is permanent and eternal.

Silence is hardest

Sometimes it is so hard to be silent, when you feel misunderstood by someone you feel deeply about and you so much want to explain what you mean but feel that the harder you try the worse it becomes. So badly you want to put things right but deep down you know that you can't. The only hope lies in the one 'who was from the begininng' - 'who was and is and is to come' that somehow slowly, he will change the mind of the other person and just as He waits for us so we wait for the other person. Just as the Father waited for the prodigal son intensely day by day. So He waits for us day by day - to see the big picture. To see it as He sees it - to see it in truth. That we will no longer see through a glass dimly - but as it really is.

'For as a sheep before his shearers is silent so he did not open his mouth.'

Humbled

Tonight I feel particularly lonely. Too tired to talk, much too tired to explain the vastly complex tangled web of situations that have brought me to this place. Yearning for help but feeling too tired to explain and even if I could feeling few, very few could understand. But then to tired to do hardly anything to distract or lull me into a pleasantly tired sleep. The only help really comes from knowing the God to whom I believe and to whom I never need to perform. Today and tonight especially I have felt humbled and laid low. Maybe there is a way forward from this.

The most beautiful thing in the world

Unconditional love is the most beautiful thing in the world. It is saying to somebody I don't mind how much you have hurt me, how cruel or sadistic you may have been or continue to be, how much you ignore me I will continue to love you and want the best for you. The book 'The Song of Songs' says that 'love is stronger than death'. I think that we need to make a distinction here. To say to somebody 'i'll die for you' when feelings are strong that is one thing. What about when those feelings die and there are no feelings or even feelings of revulsion. That is genuine love - it is the most beautiful thing in the world