...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28
I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #47: To Rescue Us from Final Judgment. The devotion today reminds believers of what awaits those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ - eternal damnation and destruction "away from the presence of the Lord." It is a sobering and frightful reality and one that should animate non-believers to turn to Him and believers to live with the end in mind - as we never know when we will be called home or when Jesus returns for a second time (see Matthew 25:13). Piper refers us to Hebrews 10:27, 12:28-29, Matthew 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, and Revelation 14:10-11 for text that gives us a glimpse into this sobering reality. Even for believers, Piper shares that "[u]ntil we feel some measure of dread about God’s future wrath, we will probably not grasp the sweetness with which the early church savored the saving work of Christ in the future" - see 1 Thessalonians 1:10. Piper continues, writing that "Jesus Christ, and he alone, can save us from the wrath to come. Without him, we will be swept away forever." Believers are encouraged to take comfort in knowing that Christ will be our shield and for this we should "exult in [this] future grace." Amen!
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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation! I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time! My sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
