I was thinking the other day how happy I am to see my Facebook and Twitter news feed blowing up with scripture. As a Christian, it encourages and strengthens my daily walk. And to me, it doesn’t matter who is posting it or how often or seldom they do, it is wonderful encouragement to read the living word sprinkled in with the rest of our lives we share here. It. Is. good.—to me.
But I wonder, what do you think? What message does it send to you? What do you hear us say on this Good Friday from those who rarely speak of the Christ who they follow? Those who speak more of anything else here in this social space other than Him—who is Good.
And if you have these thoughts, I wonder if those thoughts hinder you from hearing the truth about what's so good--about the most amazing moment--When Christ died for you. I wonder how our other posts and comments on social media affect the amazing message so many are sharing today. I wonder how when we get judgey (at times) about other issues here in this space, if it blocks your heart from hearing about the most amazing miracle Jesus ever performed…
How “On that first Good Friday, Jesus Christ died on the cross in your place. He took your judgement, your sin, your death.*"
There is this phrase that I’ve heard Christians say as long as I can remember and I wonder if you’ve heard it too--
“I’m not perfect, just forgiven.”
And though I get what’s being said here, I don't say it. Because to say, “I’m not perfect” takes our eyes off of Jesus, who is. And it draws one of the dividing lines. Between you and me.
Because we are all forgiven.
Col 2:13-14 says “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross.”
Did you catch that? Us. He took on all of our sins and forgave us. He died for all of us. He paid the debt we could not. He overcame death for us. So that we could live. He’s so good. So it’s not a matter of being forgiven, because you already are. That’s why He came.
But I'm burdened and I wonder how those religious lines that have been drawn in the past stop your heart from being opened to the glorious truth of how Jesus took YOUR place. Not religious folk. Not regular church attenders. Not just for those who believe. Rather, He took every one of our places. He died so we might live. He died for each of us knowing not everyone would love Him back
Today on this Good Friday, I ask forgiveness from you who may feel like you are on a dividing line with us “forgiven Christians” because when it comes to forgiveness, Christ drew no lines. He drew a circle and said we are all in*. So the only difference then is not forgiveness; it’s what’s been received. And I pray you might receive Jesus today.
And I pray that on this Good Friday we all will know the Good News: “It is finished.” And “Because it is finished, we are not.*” Thank you, Jesus.
*Quotes in order Billy Graham, Bob Goff, Beth Moore
But I wonder, what do you think? What message does it send to you? What do you hear us say on this Good Friday from those who rarely speak of the Christ who they follow? Those who speak more of anything else here in this social space other than Him—who is Good.
And if you have these thoughts, I wonder if those thoughts hinder you from hearing the truth about what's so good--about the most amazing moment--When Christ died for you. I wonder how our other posts and comments on social media affect the amazing message so many are sharing today. I wonder how when we get judgey (at times) about other issues here in this space, if it blocks your heart from hearing about the most amazing miracle Jesus ever performed…
How “On that first Good Friday, Jesus Christ died on the cross in your place. He took your judgement, your sin, your death.*"
There is this phrase that I’ve heard Christians say as long as I can remember and I wonder if you’ve heard it too--
“I’m not perfect, just forgiven.”
And though I get what’s being said here, I don't say it. Because to say, “I’m not perfect” takes our eyes off of Jesus, who is. And it draws one of the dividing lines. Between you and me.
Because we are all forgiven.
Col 2:13-14 says “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross.”
Did you catch that? Us. He took on all of our sins and forgave us. He died for all of us. He paid the debt we could not. He overcame death for us. So that we could live. He’s so good. So it’s not a matter of being forgiven, because you already are. That’s why He came.
But I'm burdened and I wonder how those religious lines that have been drawn in the past stop your heart from being opened to the glorious truth of how Jesus took YOUR place. Not religious folk. Not regular church attenders. Not just for those who believe. Rather, He took every one of our places. He died so we might live. He died for each of us knowing not everyone would love Him back
Today on this Good Friday, I ask forgiveness from you who may feel like you are on a dividing line with us “forgiven Christians” because when it comes to forgiveness, Christ drew no lines. He drew a circle and said we are all in*. So the only difference then is not forgiveness; it’s what’s been received. And I pray you might receive Jesus today.
And I pray that on this Good Friday we all will know the Good News: “It is finished.” And “Because it is finished, we are not.*” Thank you, Jesus.
*Quotes in order Billy Graham, Bob Goff, Beth Moore