Dear All,
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, …but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5 : 7 – 8 NIV)
This is a motto verse that David Bate has very kindly offered to make into a card of his own special design, so that we can remind ourselves of this truth through 2020. The card can be put on the mantelpiece, or used as a bookmark – or put anywhere you will see it every day. These will be available as you come into church during January.
So why did I choose that verse?
As we enter into a New Year, the Church will do well to remember its inherent weakness. Along with all humanity, we have nothing to boast about or to claim to have achieved in our own strength. In fact, every one of us was rescued by God when we were in a state of unbelief, spiritual darkness and disobedience to God. In His perfect timing, God has made a full and resplendent display of His love for us, in sending Jesus to die on our behalf.
This is the Gospel – the Good News- which we have to share, having received it properly, again and again, ourselves. So, my prayer is that in 2020 we will all grow in the knowledge of God’s grace. There is much more that I could write about the context of the whole passage of scripture. There is plenty about how God’s power in reconciling us to Himself is able to save us from falling back into our former life. But that will have to wait for a different occasion… The main thing for now, is that we realise that we cannot repay God adequately for His love. We cannot come near to deserving it! The focus is on marvelling at the glory of His love gift in Christ and embracing this gift with renewed thankfulness every day.
Happy 2020,
In His love,
Charles.
