5-23-22<\/p>\n
It is one thing that you and I occasionally ignore God\u2019s Commandments; too frequently we break the laws of God outright and defy His will. We will sin and rebel and disobey, even in our \u201cbest\u201d times and despite good intentions. Occasionally? Actually, countless times; but who\u2019s counting? (Oh. God is.)<\/p>\n
We have sin natures. Accepting Christ\u2019s atoning work on the cross \u2013 that He accepted the punishment we deserve as sinners before a Holy God \u2013 will not completely erase our tendencies to sin, nor acts of sin.<\/p>\n
A mighty change in the situation, however, is that we are forgiven when confessing the finished work of Jesus, the Message of the Cross.<\/p>\n
But I wonder: It is one thing that we tend to defy His will for our lives and ignore Jesus\u2019s teachings about duties as devoted believers in Him…<\/p>\n
We might ignore His commands. But how often do we ignore His blessings<\/em>?<\/p>\n This is a serious question, because it is a serious matter. As sinners, we need forgiveness, and that is why God became Incarnate. He became flesh, dwelt among humankind, knew our temptations and sorrows and pain; He suffered death but overcame it that we might live as He did, and does.<\/p>\n That is theology: We all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Jesus redeemed us.<\/p>\n Jesus did not come that we learn Gratitude. He did not die in order that we break out in Thanksgiving. It was not necessary that He go to the cross as the way for us to voice Praise.<\/p>\n \u2026 those attitudes will follow<\/em> the saved sinner, born-again Christians. But our focus should be Jesus\u2019s focus: the remission of sins.<\/p>\n However.<\/p>\n I believe that God is grieved when we do not experience Gratitude, or express Thanksgiving, or sing praises to Him. We do not want to grieve God. But it always amazes me when Christians do not exhibit unbridled joy when considering Who God is, and What He has done!<\/p>\n \u2026 perhaps it is because we simply do not think about it? Do we take His gifts, and His love, for granted? God forbid!<\/p>\n It is not that He has been shy on the matter! Give thanks to the Lord for He is good\u2026 <\/em>He promises joy unspeakable and full of glory\u2026 The JOY of the Lord is my strength\u2026 Praise the Lord, o my soul; and all that is within me!\u2026 Praise the Lord in song!\u2026 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!\u2026 Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever\u2026 Come before His presence with thanksgiving!\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n …Through Jesus, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.<\/em><\/p>\n You know the Bible verses, and many others. If these are not commands, they are recommendations! Seriously, they are, even more then recommendations, a checklist of natural responses<\/em> we should have to the Love of God.<\/p>\n We all have been where I have been lately. There are times when believers \u2013 who know the truth, who have accepted Jesus \u2013 just get to places where it somehow is difficult to summon that gratitude, and thanksgiving, and praise. The world closes in; circumstances oppress us; the enemy taunts.<\/p>\n Well, that is the time to do what that verse says: offer a sacrifice of praise<\/em>.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t feel like doing it? That\u2019s why it\u2019s called a sacrifice: it\u2019s not supposed to be easy\u2026 and would not be worth much if it were easy. There can never be a moment, or something that you can think of, that you can not thank God for. Begin: A minor thing; a silly thing; a little thing.<\/p>\n Your mind will move to bigger things. Fuller blessings. Greater thanks. The devil will stop taunting and the Holy Spirit will start whispering to you; then, shouting. You will move into a place where your attitude is adjusted. You will not only be praising; you will be happy; you will be joyful, a different thing; you will be grateful. And so will God.<\/p>\n He is worthy of all praise. And you will sense that you have entered the Courts of Praise with thanksgiving!<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n