He's Enough

He knew us first, by Him we’re known. He drew us to the cross, where true love was shown. Revealed in me the debts of my sin. And from that the need for a Savior, for One to come in. By His wounds, we are healed. Forever safe, within Him sealed. Crazy love no words can describe. Trampling over my self-righteous pride.

Christ lived the life we couldn’t live and He died the death we should’ve died. He endured the torture meant for me, separation from His Father, oh did He bleed. But precious is the blood of the Lamb, that ransomed me from my guilt and shame. And graciously showed me the abundant riches of His name.

The story doesn’t end at His death for rise did He. For in his rising, WE ARE ALL SET FREE! Free from living in slavery to this world. Free to live in accordance to His perfect Will. We died with Him and now are sovereignly raised. Only to Him belongs all glory, honor and praise.

His love on the cross displayed for all to see. His resurrection accomplished that we might all be. Joint heirs who love as Christ first loved us. Bondservants who desperately need Christ, on Him we clutch.

That in ALL things He may receive the glory due. In Him we are satisfied, He’s enough, He’s enough.

Grades as an Idol

Even in light of everything that Jesus is to me, I am constantly being made aware to all the things that I withhold and cling to as idols. Though I seem to be improving with some idols, others remain. The most recent one to come to my attention are grades.

I failed two exams yesterday. My heart was burdened beyond belief, a mixture of anger, grief, disappointment. I find that this burden of worry is rooted in that this exam would affect my GPA and ultimately my ability to find a good job. Now what's the motivation of this worry? My lack of faith in God's supremacy and provision.

He's taken me sooo far especially in school. He's given me A's when I don't deserve them and provided jobs when my credentials are really unworthy. In light of this, my current motivation to study is still grounded in my own ability to provide for my future. I don't study for the sole purpose of glorifying God. I worry over exams and the outcome as if they were part of my identity. Grades were just another way for me to please myself and please men.

Matthew 6 goes into great detail how we are not to worry. It is impossible for a Christian to worry about their future and say God is in control at the same time. I mean, look at the birds of the air; look at how God feeds them and cares for them. Would God not care for those that are of greater value? Why worry about what we shall eat, what we shall drink, and where we will work? God knows our need and will provide!

Instead of worrying, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

God is our provision. He cares for his children and it's ultimately shown on the Cross. Will he withhold any smaller thing if He's willing to sacrifice the gift of greatest value? Certainly not! Romans 8:32. So have faith in Christ, seek Him first that you might be increasingly joyful in experiencing His provision.

In all this, I can rejoice because God is systematically revealing my sins in different areas of my life. He is graciously pruning my deficiencies and showing me an ever greater need for the Savior. May Christ's sacrifice on the cross at Calvary be enough to diminish any worry or faithlessness in me!

He loved me and gave Himself for me.

D.A. Carson - He loved me and gave Himself for me.

The Gospel revealed through the interactions between Peter and Paul on clean and unclean food.

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/resources/a/He-Loved-Me-and-Gave-Himself-for-Me-Gal-211-21

Spurgeon: “Christ First, Me Last - Nothing Between but Love"

http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols40-42/chs2370.pdf

Oh how we must preach the gospel to ourselves day in and day out just to be reminded of how Christ loves us and gave Himself for us! All so that we realize the depth of our sin, the cost of the cross, and hope of salvation in Christ Jesus. I've come to realize that genuine change is heavily dependent on a constantly increasing understanding of Christ's love for me. Oh how deep and never-ending are Your mercies and graces. How inadequately I reflect your love, how quickly I'm to forget, how easily I am lead astray by my evil desires. How is it that in my acts of harlotry, you remain my Redeemer constantly pursuing me and pointing me back to the Cross? There's only one word for it. Love.