6-18-2015

Good Morning All!!

              Romans 5:8; “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

     I was visiting with a young person the other day that was having some struggles in some of the relationships in their life.  It felt like one of the struggles was that both parties wanted to be the boss, to have control rather than share a bond.  There had been a tiff, hurtful things said in the heat of an argument and both parties were digging in their heels about apologizing and rebuilding the relationship.  I was asked my opinion.  I offered this.  The person who wanted the relationship to work would reach out first.  It is about love and reconciliation not about power and control.

    When probed a little further, I continued.  From a biblical standpoint, God sought us out and reached out to us first.  Even though we were the ones entirely in the wrong; God wanted to heal the breach between man and himself.  He loved us enough to want to do this.  He could have easily wiped mankind out and started over but he didn’t.  Instead he loved us and he demonstrated that love in a manner that defies our logic.  While we were still in anger, hatred, disobedience and rejection of him, Jesus died for us.  Jesus died to heal the breach in the relationship that man has with God even though it was man who created the breach.

    So if we look to the Bible for guidance in our relationships here in this life; love compels us to reach out.  Love compels us to draw together.  Love compels us to heal.  It is selfish sin that drives us to tear down, reject and hate.  It is love that moves us together.  Yet someone has to take the first step; someone has to take the initiative.  Someone has to care about the relationship enough to take that first step.  We are so blessed that God took the first step.

    By taking that first step, God placed the burden of the relationship entirely upon himself.  Just as he placed the entire cost of our relationship with him entirely upon himself in the person of Jesus; our relationship is formed on the cross and guaranteed in the font of Baptism.  God took the first steps to rebuild us because he loves us.  Since God loves us and has rebuilt our relationship with him; we can be empowered to rebuild our relationships with others.  God gives us the freedom to love others.  We are no longer shackled by the pain of yesterday because we are free from yesterday’s problems and yesterday’s sin.  These do no bind us or confine us.  We are free to love one another with new vigor each day.  God empowers us to forgive and to release old pain and old anger.  God enables us to love as he loves; we only need to grab onto it and live our life free from the pain and guilt of sin.  He empowers us; it is free to us, his great gift of peace enables us to love and to take the first step with our neighbor.  Trust in God’s promise.

Father, your love for me goes beyond my understanding.  Lead me in your righteousness to love as you love, to serve as you have served me and to bring healing as you have healed me.  Guide me to take the first step of healing.  Enliven my spirit that I may always serve you.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior we pray. Amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret