I loved this thought from the March 5 devotional from Jack Miller (in Saving Grace: Daily Devotions from Jack Miller) –

Christ has set us free from the chains of the law. But we have the tendency to create new circumcisions—new rules, new duties. We become burdened with obligations. Are you trying to fulfill your obligations by heading back to slavery, back to Mount Sinai, back to that place of no mercy? Remember it is all or nothing. If you put yourself under obligation to one part of the law, then you are responsible for keeping the whole law. You can’t have justification by faith in Jesus Christ plus something else. You might think that you believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone, but think about the obligations you are burdened by. Think about how you unconsciously live as if the fulfillment of your Christian responsibilities earns you God’s favor. Almost anything can become a new circumcision: your approach to tithing, your Christian duties, an orderly home, and the list goes on. Think about what drives you. Do you live under the law at Mount Sinai or have you joined the celebration of the justified on Mount Zion? Remember, for the believer, the judgment day has come and gone. God has set you free to be his own dear child!

Miller, C. John. Saving Grace: Daily Devotions from Jack Miller (p. 65). New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

At Crestview, we’ve been studying Emmanuel this Advent season.  And, I love how we finally get the full story in Matthew’s part of the Christmas story.  Here’s what we read:

I’ve been enjoying working through the He Reads Truth Advent book this year.  Yesterday, the readings had to do with An All-Sufficient Sacrifice.

Read Isaiah 1:11, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 53:4-5, John 1:29, Hebrews 9:11-14, Hebrews 10:1-14

And, above all, this Advent season, focus in on the amazing gift of a sacrifice given for you: Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Romans 5:6 – “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (ESV)

Think of this, especially this Advent season, God intersected time and space at just the right moment.  It was just the right time for a Savior to come and rescue people.  He didn’t come for those who had their act together.  He came and demonstrated His love for us–while we were still sinners.  Let the longing you know in your heart this Advent this season be filled by the one who never misses an appointment or gets the timing wrong.  God’s timing is right.  At the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.

There’s an amazing truth in John 12.  Jesus is preparing to go to the cross and asking the Father to glorify His name.  The Father replies, “I have glorified and I will glorify it again.”  Today, be humbled by this reality from John 12:28, that Jesus going to the cross was for the Father’s glory.  We’re roped into this through our salvation.  Glorify Him today for this amazing news.

In Hebrews 12:1-2, we’re encouraged to run with perseverance the race marked out before us.  And, in v.2, we see that it comes by looking to Jesus.  Today, begin this day by looking to Him.  Out of joy, He went to the cross.  He is seated now at God’s right hand.  Look to Him today.

Those who have a relationship with God through Jesus love people.  Why?  Because, God loved them:

Here’s good news for you this Friday…

Romans 5:8–

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV)

Occasionally, I post snippets of Gospel truth on Friday mornings to encourage hearts.  Today, drink deep of this reality:

Galatians 4:4-7

[4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (ESV)