How do you see God? Is that someone looking for a way to condemn or punish you? Is he an out-of-touch ol’ curmudgeon who doesn’t really know what’s what in our modern world? Is He so pure and holy that He cannot concern Himself with the concerns of mere mortals and has left it to us to do everything for Himself, including earning our salvation? No. No. No! God chose to enter our world and experience it from the side of mortality (John 1:14-18; Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16). Why? Because He loves us and longs to save us. God decided to enter our world, not to condemn us or it, but to redeem it and each of us. Jesus is a great reminder that God wants to save us, not condemn us. He is looking for ways to give us life, not to take us away from His presence. Thank God for God! Thank God for Jesus, who was and is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
Holy and Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing to be with those of us who are repentant and repentant and who yearn for your presence (Isaiah 57:15). You know we are mere mortals, broken, but you still chose to love us in Jesus. You know we are deeply flawed, but you have redeemed us. You know we are not perfect, but God sent Jesus as the perfect sacrifice to save us. Thank you. Through your Son and my Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, Christ, Son of God, I offer you my heartfelt gratitude, praise and life. Amen.
