God calls us
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace that you have been saved.
(Ephesians 2: 4,5)
The Bible tells us stories of all sorts of people being called by God. Some have been waiting, praying and seeking Him, like Simeon and Anna who would go to the temple every day, expectant that they would hear God's voice. When a young couple came to bring their child for purification, what made them recognize that this child was special, that this was the One they had been waiting for? Surely it was because they were so close to God, so tuned in to how he was working, so used to hearing His voice.
Then there were others, like Paul, who had to be shouted at in order to gain their attention. The letters Paul wrote speak over and over again of the immense love of God, who reaches into the darkness with which we surround ourselves and calls us into His light. He can't get over this miracle, the message of grace- that it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5: 6-8)
No-one is too far away from God to hear His voice. This Christmas, hear this message of hope- that God calls to us not because we deserve it, not because we have been good enough, not even because we are listening- but simply because He loves us.
(Ephesians 2: 4,5)
The Bible tells us stories of all sorts of people being called by God. Some have been waiting, praying and seeking Him, like Simeon and Anna who would go to the temple every day, expectant that they would hear God's voice. When a young couple came to bring their child for purification, what made them recognize that this child was special, that this was the One they had been waiting for? Surely it was because they were so close to God, so tuned in to how he was working, so used to hearing His voice.
Then there were others, like Paul, who had to be shouted at in order to gain their attention. The letters Paul wrote speak over and over again of the immense love of God, who reaches into the darkness with which we surround ourselves and calls us into His light. He can't get over this miracle, the message of grace- that it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5: 6-8)
No-one is too far away from God to hear His voice. This Christmas, hear this message of hope- that God calls to us not because we deserve it, not because we have been good enough, not even because we are listening- but simply because He loves us.
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