First Minute
I plan to add to my blog each week's "First Minute" article I write for our church's newsletter. Here is the article for September 26, 2006. Also, I plan to write more often!
A recent op-ed piece in our local newspaper painted a fearful picture of life and of our world’s future. Without intending to be “Pollyannaish,” I simply can’t go there. Surely there are causes for concern. There is war on the international front. Insecurity seems to reign on the national and local arenas. And, just as surely, there are the very personal losses we experience as part of the human dilemma. But to allow despair to define our existence is foreign to Christian faith. Our faith provides foundational hope!
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians, “Thanks be unto God who always leads us in triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14).” While the Christian life is about many things, this noble truth stands first. No other perspective is so comforting—or challenging. God always leads us in triumph! Contrast Paul’s point of view with those who say, “I’m doing my best, but my best doesn’t seem good enough,” or “I’m all alone in my faith, trying hard to hold forth for Jesus.” Our human best seems to pale in comparison to so great a declaration: “We are in the hands of Almighty God. Whatever the difficulty, regardless of how great the stress, through Christ we are led to triumph!” I suspect Paul’s words were confessional. He who had put believers in prison had become captive to the Word of God. But the victory of faith he described was not his own. It belonged to Christ. So in another place he would write, “We are more than conquerors—through Him who loved us (Ro. 8:37).” The same Jesus Christ who held Paul in his hands holds us. We hold and declare the same confession. No worthier motive can claim us: “Christ in us—the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).”
Sunday was a wonderful day in the house of God. I look forward to seeing you next Lord’s day in Bible study and worship. May unmeasured blessings be yours in the days of this week.
Grace and peace,
Lee McGlone
A recent op-ed piece in our local newspaper painted a fearful picture of life and of our world’s future. Without intending to be “Pollyannaish,” I simply can’t go there. Surely there are causes for concern. There is war on the international front. Insecurity seems to reign on the national and local arenas. And, just as surely, there are the very personal losses we experience as part of the human dilemma. But to allow despair to define our existence is foreign to Christian faith. Our faith provides foundational hope!
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians, “Thanks be unto God who always leads us in triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14).” While the Christian life is about many things, this noble truth stands first. No other perspective is so comforting—or challenging. God always leads us in triumph! Contrast Paul’s point of view with those who say, “I’m doing my best, but my best doesn’t seem good enough,” or “I’m all alone in my faith, trying hard to hold forth for Jesus.” Our human best seems to pale in comparison to so great a declaration: “We are in the hands of Almighty God. Whatever the difficulty, regardless of how great the stress, through Christ we are led to triumph!” I suspect Paul’s words were confessional. He who had put believers in prison had become captive to the Word of God. But the victory of faith he described was not his own. It belonged to Christ. So in another place he would write, “We are more than conquerors—through Him who loved us (Ro. 8:37).” The same Jesus Christ who held Paul in his hands holds us. We hold and declare the same confession. No worthier motive can claim us: “Christ in us—the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).”
Sunday was a wonderful day in the house of God. I look forward to seeing you next Lord’s day in Bible study and worship. May unmeasured blessings be yours in the days of this week.
Grace and peace,
Lee McGlone
posted by Lee McGlone | 7:26 AM
1 Comments:
you're back into blogdom, wonderful! Now tell Scott to jump in as well.
Post a Comment
<< Home