Category: Good News

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Value the world

Value the world – value every unbeliever. That is not to say that we treasure ungodliness, carnality, or any such thing. It’s just wise to recognize the hand of God at work in environments we have little to no influence in. Honoring the person God honors is always important. Religious bias and arrogance keep us from that at times, but it can become a part of our mode of operation if changes are made in our thinking.

Understanding this one concept would have helped me navigate many of the controversial issues in church life through the years. Jesus simply thought differently from us. Differently from all of us. Continue reading “Value the world”

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We have a Father

Why did Jesus become a man and come to earth? Obviously the best place to find the answer to that question in New Testament.

We know:
1. Jesus came to atone for our sins. (See 1 John 2:2; 3:5.)
2. He came to take upon Himself the punishment that we deserved—our punishment in   death.  He then made it possible for us to receive what only He deserved—eternal life. (See Romans 5:6–11.)
3. He came to destroy the works of the evil one. (See 1 John 3:8.)
4. He came to make an open display of the foolishness of the devil and reveal the wisdom of the cross. (See Colossians 2:15.)
5. He came that we might have abundant life. (See John 10:10.)
6. He came to initiate the present-tense awareness of the Kingdom of God—the realm and effects of God’s rule. (See Matthew 6:10.)
7. Jesus came to save men’s lives, not destroy them. (See Luke 9:56.) 

All true but yet sub-points to the primary reason Jesus came. 

Jesus came to reveal the Father. 
Jesus came to a planet of orphans
to reveal what we needed most—the Father. 
Jesus came to set our focus, attention, and affection
on the Father,  who is good.    

adapted from ‘God is Good’ by Bill Johnson