Sacrifice Play
Theme of the Week: God's Lavish Love
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him 1 John 4:9). Bonus Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
In baseball a "sacrifice" results when the batter hits a ball, expecting to be called out, but advancing a runner to the next base.
That's the kind of love Christ offers us. He voluntarily gave up what was rightfully His so we could advance to Home Plate. He gave up His life for us.
The gracious love of Jesus cancels the punishment we deserve, forgives our sin, and gives eternal life.
The unconditional love of Jesus accepts us even as "continual" sinners, as long as we admit it (1 John 1:10). To be in Christ is to admit that you are not good enough, that you cannot perform, that because of sin's grip on your life you're a loser—and for that very reason, that you need a Savior whose unconditional love transforms your life.
What God wants men to hear about His love is, "The pressure's off. This isn't an athletic performance. You don't have to be good enough for Me to love you. Nothing you can do will make Me love you less. In fact, nothing you can do will make Me love you more. I love you just as you are, for what you are, with all your faults and frailties."
—Kirk Noonan in Ten Secrets for the Man in the Mirror
My Response: Do I admit I'm a moral loser? Am I confident that I'm loved anyway?
Thought to Apply: God's love is in so great supply that it's like the Amazon River flowing down to water one daisy.—F.B. Meyer (British preacher)
Adapted from Ten Secrets for the Man in the Mirror (Zondervan, 2000) by permission.
Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
Lord, this week enlarge my comprehension of, and appreciation for, Your self-giving love.
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