Today's word is believe.
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of which I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."
1 Timothy 15-17
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all may be one. Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
John 17:20-21
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of which I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."
1 Timothy 15-17
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all may be one. Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
John 17:20-21
Have you ever noticed the subtleties in the Bible? Have you noticed that what we receive, while for our benefit, is often for a greater purpose? Notice Paul's words in the 1 Timothy passage. He talks about how God sent Jesus into the world to save sinners, calling himself the worst of them. But look at the reason that he says he was shown mercy: so that this incredible mercy - Christ's unlimited patience - might display, serve as an example, to others who then would believe and receive eternal life.
Now, look at Jesus' words in his prayer in John's gospel. He prays that those who would believe in the future as a result of the Apostles message (this is us - the church!), would have the same type of unity as the Father and the Son have. Why? So that we are happy and live a wonderful life? No, so that the world would believe through witnessing our unity, that God sent the Son into the world for their redemption and salvation.
We believe in Jesus Christ and we receive so much - we have His great and precious promises, the exceeding greatness of His power, His love, forgiveness of our sins, eternal life, and on and on. We are blessed. But we are not to just sit and be happy in that alone. We are blessed to be a blessings, so that others might believe.
During this Advent season how might we help the world believe that God sent His Son, the incarnate One, into the world , that they might believe and receive eternal life?
My journal pages for today:
The Advent Words 2017 prompts and Scripture reading calendar can be found in this post or in the Facebook group.
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