A Different Kind of Lens {Be Real with Jessica}
This Sunday my youth group had the talented speaker, Tony Miano, come and talk to us about the Gospel. He began by asking us if we knew what the Gospel is.
Is it a collection of stories that tell us what we can, or cannot do?
Is it a book of fairy tales meant to be interpreted?
Or is it the recording of pain, anguish, tears, joy, forgiveness, and unfailing love?
I have known of two kinds of Christians, those who believe in the truth; believe with all their heart and soul that Jesus is who He said He is…and those who wear the label Christian like a T-shirt, just a covering.
I do not want to be the second, and I strive to be the first. The Gospel isn’t a fairy tale, it isn’t a list of rules and regulations, it isn’t there to make you feel worthless or guilty.
The Gospel is a story of forgiveness. We are His, who made us, but we fell short of what He wanted of us, and we entered into death.
But God is faithful, and He is just.
He sent His only Son to take our place on the cross, and redeem us.
Whether we believe or not, this fact remains true.
And His unfailing love is beautiful.
He created all of us with a gift, that is made perfect when used to bring Him the glory. Like a music box, our gift creates a beautiful symphony. You see, we weren’t called to be of this world, we were sent into this world to serve God. We were given gifts, beautiful gifts, to do just that.
We are a different kind of lens, a different genre of song, and a different style of dance.
We were made to make a difference, to be the difference; but we failed, we became broken and desolate.
We are incapable of perfection, and by any definition, a lost cause….and Jesus knew this…still He chose to die on the cross.
He died on my cross, for my sins.
He was blameless, pure, and perfect, still He died for me, so that I don’t have too.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
John 17:15-18 ESV
