The world is filled with it -- the most important being the Passion of Jesus -- first displayed on the cross, then validated through an empty tomb, then made accessible through the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost.
Amid all the passions available, I want to invite you to surrender to the Passion of Jesus. Absorb His Gospel.
Don’t -- do anymore -- say anymore – think anymore – worry anymore – emote anymore – bargain anymore – whine anymore – explain anymore.
Just “turn your eyes toward Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” - Helen Lemmel
Don’t -- do anymore -- say anymore – think anymore – worry anymore – emote anymore – bargain anymore – whine anymore – explain anymore.
Just “turn your eyes toward Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” - Helen Lemmel
Robert
Webber tells of traveling on a plane from San
Francisco to Los Angeles, a few years back. As he settled into his seat, Webber
took out a Christian book and began to read.
In due course, the man next to him took notice. “Oh, it looks you are a religious man.” “Well yes” Webber replied. “I am too.’
And with that Webber and the man began to discuss religion.
Well after a bit, Webber got brave and questioned the man: I’d like to know more about your personal belief system; for starters: can you give me a one-liner that captures the essence of your faith?" “Why yes” the man said: "We are all part of the problem, and we are all part of the solution."
And with that Webber nodded, thanking the man; but Webber’s facial expression indicated displeasure, nevertheless. “You seem concerned” -- the man said. “Why yes,” Webber said. You see my one liner is similar, but very different in a very important way. Well tell me! “Well friend,” Webber began. “We are all part of the problem – but there is only One who is the solution. And that One -- is Jesus. (Robert Webber, Who Gets to Narrate the World? (IVP, 2008), p. 26. Adapted.)
Well after a bit, Webber got brave and questioned the man: I’d like to know more about your personal belief system; for starters: can you give me a one-liner that captures the essence of your faith?" “Why yes” the man said: "We are all part of the problem, and we are all part of the solution."
And with that Webber nodded, thanking the man; but Webber’s facial expression indicated displeasure, nevertheless. “You seem concerned” -- the man said. “Why yes,” Webber said. You see my one liner is similar, but very different in a very important way. Well tell me! “Well friend,” Webber began. “We are all part of the problem – but there is only One who is the solution. And that One -- is Jesus. (Robert Webber, Who Gets to Narrate the World? (IVP, 2008), p. 26. Adapted.)
We live in a world that believes: we are all apart of the problem and we are all apart of the solution. But the Gospel begs to differ; the Gospel declares: we are all a part of the problem but there is only One who is the solution. And that One is Jesus.
Only Jesus will save and solve your life!
Let Jesus save and solve your
life! Sure it sounds trendy to say
multiple people and things are part of the solution. But -- ultimately -- there is only one solution -- rooted and incarnate in
Gods only Son, our Savior -- who is -- the King of Kings and Lord of all Lords
– the First Among Ten Thousand -- the Bright and Morning Star.
Listen: no other solution will break strongholds of addiction and sin. No other solution will offer grace when grace can’t be found. No other solution will provide power when power is not available. Only Jesus. Only Jesus forgives the unforgivable. Only Jesus casts out devils, demons and fear. Only Jesus solves and saves.
And so please don’t get confused -- don’t misunderstand the Master -- don’t substitute other solutions for the Savior – don’t gloss over and 'gut' the Gospel.
Rather … “turn your eyes toward Jesus – look full in His wonderful face – and the things of earth will grow strangely dim – in the light of His glory and grace.” - Helen Lemmel
Listen: no other solution will break strongholds of addiction and sin. No other solution will offer grace when grace can’t be found. No other solution will provide power when power is not available. Only Jesus. Only Jesus forgives the unforgivable. Only Jesus casts out devils, demons and fear. Only Jesus solves and saves.
And so please don’t get confused -- don’t misunderstand the Master -- don’t substitute other solutions for the Savior – don’t gloss over and 'gut' the Gospel.
Rather … “turn your eyes toward Jesus – look full in His wonderful face – and the things of earth will grow strangely dim – in the light of His glory and grace.” - Helen Lemmel
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