Words of Encouragement April - 06 - 2003
So many people reject God because of the things they do not want to give up for him. They do not want to surrender their will to God because it will mean giving up something they love that is in conflict with the character of God. Many evangelists know that intellectual arguments seldom will win this kind of person to the truth. Instead, they must come to know Jesus and his sacrificial love for them before they are able to realize that God's demand for holiness in them is because he is their ally, not their enemy.
Paul wrote the church at Colosse to show that Christ is preeminent, first and foremost in everything, and the Christian's life should reflect that priority. In Colossians 1:21-22 we find:
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mine by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight
Let us pray
Holy and almighty God, we praise you for your love and holiness. Thank you for demonstrating both by sending Jesus to save us. We regret the times that we saw your desire for holiness to be too demanding or harsh. We thank you for loving us enough to not only save us in Jesus, but also to call us to a holy life under your protection and care.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.