You have something to be thankful for today...Actually a long list of things, but as I was studying this morning I wanted to share with you a few things of many I am thankful for when it comes to life in Christ Jesus.
#1 His blessings for us and our Sonship
Ephesians 1:3-5
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
1. He loves us and chose us to be his sons and daughters. Oh AND He sent his son Jesus who died for our sins so we could receive him and live forever with him in heaven.
2. He gives us blessings - What does that mean? it means: He hooks us up with some great stuff!
There are major benefits to being the son or daughter of the King!
If you have received Jesus and are living for him thats who you are, the old person is gone.
2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This is really cool too:
Ephesians 1:7-11
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
We have every reason to put our trust and hope in Jesus.
Hold up though:
v7 Redemption through his blood
Forgiveness of sins
Grace lavished on us
AND v9: he downloads to us the mystery of his plans and will?
We have every reason to put our trust and hope in Jesus. We have every reason to lay our life down to him in response to his infinite Love. AND we have every reason to be thankful as all get out for who He is and all that he has given to us.
Why should we live outside of this? So many are high on the World's kool aid and totally miss all of the above.
Here is some more good news:
His kindness (thankful for that) leads us to Repentance
See Romans 2
Check out what happened in this story that Jesus taught:
Luke 15:11-22
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
IF you need to get right with God, He has been waiting on you and filled with love and compassion for you. Not anger and judgement, that is a lie from hell.
Repentance is: confessing your sin to God, asking for His forgiveness, and turning away from it.
God leads us to this through his love and kindness and desire to be in close relationship with us.
He wants nothing more but to be in close relationship with you so he can give you everything he has prepared for you.
Another reason to be thankful - We deserve death and he throws us a coming home party.
I am so thankful today. I hope you are too!
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