Daily Reflections, Friday, April 18, 2008

Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Someday we must stand before God and answer for what we’ve done in this life. Can you imagine standing before your Creator—the holy, righteous, and perfect God of the universe—while aware of sin in your life? Consider for a moment that it was your sins that nailed Jesus, God’s only Son, to the cross. Ponder the fact that Jesus came because there was no other way to satisfy God’s wrath towards your sin.

God’s hatred towards sin is surpassed only by His great love for you and me. As sinners, this is an encouragement, but we cannot soon forget that God’s love compels us to a life of holiness. “God loves us just the way we are, but He refuses to leave us that way; He wants us to be just like Jesus.”—Max Lucado

Paul instructed the Corinthian Christians to walk worthy of God’s call for their lives. He made it clear that God would not tolerate their sin. In his second letter, Paul rejoiced that his words had brought conviction of sin and a change of mind towards it. God was now free to work in their lives and shower His blessings upon the church. Do you need a spiritual jumpstart? Is God calling you to repentance? Do it, because He loves you. Do it, because it will enrich your life.

Today's Quote:  One of the most fundamental marks of true repentance is a disposition to see our sins as God sees them.—Charles Simeon