Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Lent: Time of Transformation


Sofi George,
St. Thomas MTC, New York

15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life


In this passage, Paul recalls the sinful life he led prior to his transformation in Christ.  Paul, formerly known as Saul, persecuted the followers of Jesus. When Jesus called him on the road to Damascus, he fell to the ground, was blinded and spent three days reflecting on his past and how his actions hurt God.   He knew he didn’t deserve forgiveness and God could have easily condemned him. Paul knew he was unworthy and undeserving of God’s mercy. But God was patient with Paul and brought him to a transformational experience to know the true God. Paul’s life was used as a testimony to show the glory of God. 
 Sometimes we believe we are so unworthy because of our past.  Sometimes we think we are the worst of all sinners like Paul.  Just like grace and mercy transformed the life of Paul who didn’t deserve it, the same grace and mercy is available to us. We may have trouble accepting how gracious God is to His children because of who we are and what we have done.  We are set free because of Jesus' death on the cross and we no longer have to bear the burden of our guilt and shame. 
 People who knew the old Saul couldn’t believe the transformation that had taken place in him. The persecutor became the man most eager to share the gospel of Jesus.  Paul demonstrated love and acceptance instead of anger and hatred. Sometimes we may need God to stop us in our tracks to have the Damascus experience.  Have we let go of our former life of sin?  Does our life demonstrate someone who is transformed in Christ?  This Lent season let us remember that Jesus doesn’t look at our unworthiness. Through His love, we can be used in His kingdom. Others will see what God has done in our lives thereby bringing others to the experience of a living and forgiving God.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, we remember Your death on the cross to save us from our sins.  We commit ourselves during this Lent season to a new beginning.  We are not worthy but You have shown Grace and Mercy towards us and called us to be Your children.   Help us to live our life conscious of our words and actions so that people who see us, see Christ in us.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
If you will transform your mind, God will transform your life. – Joel Osteen.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more