I know, I've read it through quite a few times in the past ~ however, we see life through renewed lenses each day, each year, each season. Depending on what you have been through or are going through ~ your perspectives change; your angles change; your knowledge grows; and your heart is tenderized at different places. But God is yet the never-changing, sovereign, wise, Almighty, righteous God. The Word of God should be like freshly baked bread to the soul each time it is consumed. It never loses its relevance. The Word meets us where we are if we should choose to consult it. This season ~ this particular time of my life, I have decided that the books which I feel drawn to read are the ones which feature Paul's epistles to the Corinthian Church. And so, I began reading the first epistle today.
Chapter one truly reminded me of some remarkable ironies. Paul emphasizes how precious and necessary God's grace in Christ is (1:4-9), and yet how unattractive it is to the world! God's grace in Christ is an unattractive grace ~ deemed as a stumbling block and foolishness to the world. However, it is AMAZING that the Gospel should still captivate hearts. What a testimony of God's unsurpassed sovereignty and power! Salvation is therefore indeed the gracious access given by God to stand unceasingly in His grace... but also, the access gained through man's humble response to God's initiative which is yet empowered by God Himself. Salvation of man in a world where God's grace is unattractive is naturally impossible ~ but with God, all things are supernaturally possible. God never leaves us hopeless. This is the love and promise of our Creator.
Christmas ~ a time to celebrate God's faithfulness to keep His promise of a Messiah. A time to celebrate His faithfulness to keep all His promises, in fact! A time to renew our faith in God.
Speaking of Christmas ~ I have still not bought any real presents for anyone (in keeping with the cozy traditions). Perhaps, I should just write meaningful cards this year.
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