Before we proceed into this blog post, please allow me a moment to review the highlights of last week’s post. Consider this for a moment: Our view of life is dramatically changed when we meditate on the character of God.
God is loving. Remember what we were before we came to Jesus? We were not deserving of His favor. We had not earned His goodness in anyway, but Ephesians 2:4 reminds us God’s character in this way, “But God who is rich in mercy!” God is rich in mercy! He is generous and abundant with His mercy. Amen!
God is giving. God’s love gives (Jn. 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) – and what a gift He gave! God gave His only son to demonstrate His love and justice in the same action. Jesus shed His blood to cover our sin and satisfy the judgment we had earned for our own sin. This is God’s love and justice in the same action! When God gives, He gives generously!
Now let’s consider one more character trait of God from Ephesians 2.
GOD IS GUIDING – Ephesians 2:10
Last week I had the task of calling a business to discuss our new location and the latest invoice that showed a significant increase for the year. After I explained the situation to the associate on the phone, they told me that I have the wrong department (even though this was the phone number on the invoice). I was then transferred to three different departments (one after the other), each one saying the same thing as the first. For my final transfer I was sent back to the first department with which I started the phone call. It felt like the blind leading the blind! This was the work that they had been trained to do. These are those who were to be the experts, but they did not seem to have a clue as to how to deal with this need.
We are the work of God. Let that sink in for moment. You are the work of God. Wow. God created you and I through Jesus Christ to join Him in His gospel work!
God almighty created us to join Him in the work He has been doing before we were born, which is also the work He prepared for us to do. The believing church is revived to serve God. This was God’s plan long ago!
God loves you. God gives to you. God guides you. Remember these things when you think or hear others say:
God doesn’t care about you?!
My life or the life of others doesn’t matter?!
My life has no point?!
Your life as a teenager, your life as a single adult, your life as a parent, your life as a senior citizen, the life of the handicapped and mentally disabled, and the life of a living child in the womb matters to God so much that He gave up His life for you, to redeem you, and to revive you to serve Him! Let’s sum everything up by rehearsing 5 key things.
5 things about life to never forget:
1. God loves YOU so much that He died for you (John 3:16-18).
That’s how important he considers your life! The all-knowing God sees YOUR life with such great love that He sacrificed abundantly for YOU.
2. God knows YOU so intimately that He guides you (Prov. 19:21).
God knew that your life would involve hard things. He knew it would be a struggle at times. He knew you would need guidance. So, the all-knowing God has given us all:
a. The Bible that brings clarity, wisdom, guidance
b. Friends & family that bring encouragement & hope
c. Godly counselors that bring wisdom and greater discernment
d. Prayer that brings peace, true rest, calming joy
e. Laughter that heals like medicine
3. God gives extravagant gifts.
Think about God’s extravagant gifts for a moment: Salvation (and heaven in the future) (Jn. 5:24), the Holy Spirit dwelling in you (Jn. 14:26), prayer (Jer. 33:3), His presence (Heb. 13:5), and His power (Phil. 4:13). These are only a sample of God generous gifts!
4. God calls you to Himself.
We are created to good works (Eph. 2:10). We are to be holy (I Pet. 1:15). So, follow His example and run to Jesus! This involves even what others cannot see. In fact, what others cannot see may be the most important part! Our thoughts (what others cannot see) are a significant driver to who we will become. Think about. Guarding your thoughts will impact your desires, your desires will impact your choices, your choices will impact your habits, and your habits will impact your character. Our thoughts are at the root of a life that honors God.
5. God blesses all humanity with His love, guidance, and gifts.
God honors all life that He has given to all humanity. Do we lift others “not like us” up as ones having been created in the image of God? Do we lift up:
a. The handicapped child with down syndrome
b. The Alzheimer’s patient
c. The baby in a mother’s womb
d. The widows and widowers
e. The foster child
f. The senior citizen who has out-lived expectations
g. The person with a devastating illness
h. The blind, the deaf, the dumb
i. The drunk, the drug addict, the prostitute
j. The poor, the rich, the needy
We do not honor sinful choices, but we do honor the image of God, of which we all bear. God honors life. God honors the life of all his creation. We are instructed in scripture to honor the gray headed man (do not take life away of what we consider no longer useful - euthanasia. Prov. 16:31). We are instructed in scripture not to take a life and commit murder (abortion, Ex. 20:13). We are instructed in scripture to remember God knows us from the womb to the grave (Ps. 127:3-5; 139:13).
A worried woman sought the help of her gynecologist in securing an abortion. She explained that she was desperate because she already had a child that was not yet one. The doctor thought for a moment and then suggested what he believed to be a better alternative. He noted his plan would be healthier for her body and make her life less stressful. He then blurted out, “If we’re going to kill one child, let’s kill the baby you already have. It will be safer on your body, and it will give you several months to get rested up before taking on all of the responsibilities of being a new mother.” She was horrified by the doctor’s recommendation and told him so. She reminded him that it was a crime to kill a child and drew back from the man she thought she could trust. He relaxed his posture and then said he agreed. He had graphically communicated a terrible truth that eludes so many. Though harsh and abrasive, his strategy not only saved the life of an unborn child, but it redeemed the life of a woman who was about to make a tragic mistake, which she would never forget and always regret. (Source: Unknown)
Honor God by honoring His creation! You and I are loved. You and I are blessed with Divine gifts. You and I are even guided along life’s journey. Sharpen your view on God’s view. May we all find great peace and point those around us to great peace – when we embrace God’s view for our lives!