TWC – The Word Connects: Connecting you to God and to one another …
Saturday 19 April 2014
There is no one, absolutely no one who is so far from God that God’s love cannot reach. The outstretched arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross reminds us of the far-reaching grace and love of God. Hanging on the cross and feeling immense pain in His body, Jesus rescued a sinner, a criminal who was crucified next to Him. At the slightest indication of repentance, with his reprimand of his fellow criminal on the other side of the cross – “Don’t you fear God … this man has done nothing wrong” and the request he made, “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom”, our dying Lord welcomed the repentant criminal into His eternal Kingdom saying, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise.” There was no time for the criminal to live out a Christian life, he was about to die after a life of sinfulness and crime. Yet, he was not too far for the hand of God to save him. The God who saved that criminal on the cross some two thousand years ago is the same God who continues to save lost men and women today. He saved you and me even though we were steep in sin and He wants to do the same for the people around us. His grace is extravagant and He is passionately pursuing those who do not know Him so that they may be rescued from a life of sin and death. The Father seeks true worshippers actively, like the rich vineyard owner in Mt.20. And He will keep looking and seeking until the very last hour before Jesus comes again. Yes, there is a clock that is ticking and there will be a last day and a last hour. There will come a time when the grace period runs out and then comes judgment. As recipients of God’s extravagant grace, we must not only desire to share God’s truth with those who do not know Him, but we must do so with a high degree of urgency. There’s no time to waste. Churches must not waste time in routine, mechanical, man-made worship. Instead, our worship services should be relevant (not archaic and out of place in today’s world), engaging, God-encountering, Spirit-led and life-changing. We should be doing what is right today, not what was right centuries ago. People in church must not waste time in petty things and godless quarrels, instead, we need to let our light shine far. Oswald J. Smith said in his book, The Challenge of Missions: “The light that shines furthest shines brightest at home.” Individual Christians must not waste time pursuing our own ambitions, instead, we must pursue God’s divine destiny for our lives. As you walk with God today, do not be a casual Christian, do not let your church become an institution and do not waste any time. Let God’s people arise and take hold of what God has called us to, live out a purpose-driven and Spirit-led life, completing the work He has called us to, extending His extravagant glory to a world that is desperately in need of Him. Have a great and glorious day!
Today’s Bible text: 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk.23:39-43)
Pastor Barnabas Chong
Aldersgate Methodist Church
revbarnz@gmail.com
Today’s recommended video: Your love is extravagant …. Click here for YouTube link
twcdaily.com 