Do you remember when you learned that you were a sinner in need of a Savior? Do you remember the sense of urgency you had when you realized your soul was in jeopardy of being lost? Do you remember when you came up out of the waters of baptism as a new creature in Christ? Things we think will be in our minds forever are sometimes lost with the passing of time. Or maybe we do remember those events, but the memories don’t have the same impact on our hearts as they used to.
Have we forgotten what our Savior has done for us? It’s easy to be lulled into a state of spiritual laziness and slip back to who we used to be. Let’s guard our hearts against that at all costs.
Let us Remember the Cross. Do you remember the first time you heard the story about Jesus dying on the cross? Did you cringe as you learned what all was involved in a Roman scourging? Did tears flow from your eyes when you read Matthew 27:46: “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’ Why did we preach about the sacrifice of Jesus? It’s not to make people feel sorry about Jesus. It’s to remind us about the love of God, John 3:16. It’s to remind us about the cost to redeem us. But have we forgotten about the Cross? This question needs to be asked because at times our lives as disciples may reflect that we have. Jesus was obedient to God even on the cross, John 19:30. Yet sometimes Christians refuse to be obedient to God. Jesus humbled Himself even to the point of death, Philippians 2:8. Yet sometimes disciples allow their hearts to be filled with pride.
Let us Remember His Coming. Jesus will appear again!
"They also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11
Jesus will return one day for His people. But have we forgotten the promise of His return and judgment day? Have we lost patience as we await His appearing? Let us remember what Jesus has done and will do one day! Let us rejoice because of His sacrifice. Let us repent if we have failed to remember that we’ve been purified from our sins. Let us live in a way pleasing to Him as we await His second coming.
I CAN DO…SO CAN YOU
Benjamin Lee