Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Joy of Redemption
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
M.C. Varughese
Epiphany MTC, NY
Epiphany MTC, NY
7 For God did not call us
to impurity but in holiness.
One definition Webster's Dictionary gives for redemption is the act of procuring the deliverance from the possession and power of captor by payment. A redeemer is needed to buy us back from the ownership of sin and Satan. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ"(Romans 3:23-24)
In writing to Thessalonians, in chapter 4, Paul talks about their present situation. Paul was well aware of their gentile background and exhort them to take care of their Christian Living to please God. He reminds them that they are sanctified, set a part for God for a special purpose. Sanctification is not an optional one. It opens up the way for all other possibilities that make your life a happy and peaceful one. It will make you more useful and fruitful. You will enjoy deeper riches in relationship with God with your wife, husband, children and fellow human beings.
The goal of sanctification is our holiness. Paul calls for keeping ourselves away from anything that contaminates our body and spirit. Bible also calls us to be holy because God is holy.(2 Cor.7:1, 1Pet 1:14-15) Our bodies are the temple of God. We are exposed to the evil desires of this world. Especially Paul talks about sexual immorality. None of us are perfect and have not reached there yet. Paul urges us to do the will of God more and more and grow in it. Sanctification is a lifelong process. We are not alone in the process. God has given us Holy Spirit who will strengthen us. The aim is to conform and grow in the image of God. Other areas in Christian life where we have to grow are in our relationship with fellow human beings, brotherly love, learning to take care of our own business and respecting all those around us. People watch our actions more than our words. Our actions and attitude will win respect from others.
More than once all of us have heard story of a little boy and his sail boat. He made a beautiful boat out of wood. He took it to the lake and lost it in the wave. After a few weeks he saw the boat displayed in the window of a toy store. The owner of the shop asked the boy to pay to get it back. He did pay and took it. The boy took the boat to his heart and said," Little boat you are twice mine, I made you, I bought you." We are made in the image of God but sinned and fell short of God's glory. We are purchased by the blood of our savior Jesus Christ. Redemption is the work of the God. Only our response is needed. Do what God says, act and grow in that sphere. Please God in every aspect of your walk, your life.
One definition Webster's Dictionary gives for redemption is the act of procuring the deliverance from the possession and power of captor by payment. A redeemer is needed to buy us back from the ownership of sin and Satan. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ"(Romans 3:23-24)
In writing to Thessalonians, in chapter 4, Paul talks about their present situation. Paul was well aware of their gentile background and exhort them to take care of their Christian Living to please God. He reminds them that they are sanctified, set a part for God for a special purpose. Sanctification is not an optional one. It opens up the way for all other possibilities that make your life a happy and peaceful one. It will make you more useful and fruitful. You will enjoy deeper riches in relationship with God with your wife, husband, children and fellow human beings.
The goal of sanctification is our holiness. Paul calls for keeping ourselves away from anything that contaminates our body and spirit. Bible also calls us to be holy because God is holy.(2 Cor.7:1, 1Pet 1:14-15) Our bodies are the temple of God. We are exposed to the evil desires of this world. Especially Paul talks about sexual immorality. None of us are perfect and have not reached there yet. Paul urges us to do the will of God more and more and grow in it. Sanctification is a lifelong process. We are not alone in the process. God has given us Holy Spirit who will strengthen us. The aim is to conform and grow in the image of God. Other areas in Christian life where we have to grow are in our relationship with fellow human beings, brotherly love, learning to take care of our own business and respecting all those around us. People watch our actions more than our words. Our actions and attitude will win respect from others.
More than once all of us have heard story of a little boy and his sail boat. He made a beautiful boat out of wood. He took it to the lake and lost it in the wave. After a few weeks he saw the boat displayed in the window of a toy store. The owner of the shop asked the boy to pay to get it back. He did pay and took it. The boy took the boat to his heart and said," Little boat you are twice mine, I made you, I bought you." We are made in the image of God but sinned and fell short of God's glory. We are purchased by the blood of our savior Jesus Christ. Redemption is the work of the God. Only our response is needed. Do what God says, act and grow in that sphere. Please God in every aspect of your walk, your life.
PRAYER
Lord I know that I am
not my own. You have bought me with the price of your blood. Thank
you Lord I am yours and Satan has no claim on me. I want to glorify you. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
MAY THE JOY OF REDEMPTION SHINE THROUGH US IN THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON.