Today I'm realizing just how far I have to go; but it isn't about me. I am comforted by Philippians 1:6 because I like Paul am confident that the Author and Finisher of my faith will be faithful to complete the holy task He has set to do in me. His blood is the price that was paid for my Salvation, and we know that Jesus would have taken the cross even if looking through history He saw only one person truly converted. Jesus would have hung on that cross with Pharisees wagging their heads and said, "Kevin, you are worth it to me." He would have still given the thief on the cross the same promise even if that was the only thief who would ever end up bearing his own cross. So in other words yes God did love the world so much to give His only Son to die that whoever believes in Him should not parish. (John 3:16) But God also loves you, and me that much that He would have sent His only begotten Son to die that just one may not parish.
Ellen White assures us that we are loved in full accord of the price paid on our behalf. Yes the price paid for the world is the blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, but amazingly that is the very price paid for each one of us as individuals! God values us, not as though we are one of many which we assuredly are. God loves us as though we were the only one He loved. This is so exciting! As I behold such amazing love, as I spend more time at the foot of the cross crying out, "Jesus Your Holy blood hath cleansed me! Now I am Yours! You have bought me with a holy price." As I think on my own lack of worth and realize the immense love that my Saviour has for His beloved, as I stop thinking about self, and instead think about Him... how can I not be changed? Yes I do have far to go, and I will travel every mile of it because God is faithful to finish what He begins.
God, knowing the end from the beginning saw that I would be a horrid sinner, yet that same God who knew just what manner of person I would be was willing to die for me on the cross; I tell you that most assuredly this thing called the gospel is not at all about me; it is all about Jesus and what He did on the cross of Calvary. By His grace we are saved (Ephe 2:8) and there's nothing I could do to earn such grace! To think that only a small remnant will be saved, when Christ loves each and every one of us so much that His blood is crying out, "Worship Me, the One True God and Me only, come out of Babylon and we will share a love together that you cannot now understand." This love I have not understood, yet here it is rushing like a whirlwind yet calm with a still small voice. Oh the price that Jesus paid, a payment which puts me eternally in dept, for I will never be able to pay Him back in any way, shape, or form. The righteousness of Christ is my solemn reward, and I love to watch Him go fourth like a conqueror in my life, crushing out every sin. There is surely none like Christ.
It may seem now like I have far to go, and I do, but it isn't about me. This is about my wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ. The only begotten Son of God, who counted it not robbery to be equal with God. (Phil 2:6) Yet humbled Himself so as to become the lowliest among men. So long as the constant though of my mind is Jesus Christ and Him crucified I cannot help but to be changed. Not at all! In-fact it is by keeping Him in the center of my thoughts that all sins may be overcome, for Jesus doesn't just cleanse me from my sin; He takes them away. (John 1:29) Oh that I would have the experience of Jacob, who would not let go until Christ blessed Him; or righteous Enoch, who walked three-hundred years with Christ. Oh that I could know the Saviour face to face and watch the miracle of His brightness like Peter, James, and John! The greatest wonder of all, is that still today, out of the dust of a sinful life, our great High Priest pleads His own blood that the dust may be made new, and may spring fourth into a new Character for Jesus. There is but one Hope and Stay, and that is the sure Word of God, which is Jesus Christ our immortal King! Hosanna to the Son of David, glory to God on the Highest!
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