Say It Again

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. [1 Thessalonians 5.9]

Here is a simple revelation of God's love for the world. It is repeated throughout the New Testament. True believers will grasp this truth and live by it. It will change their lives.

The problem however manifests when we start "thinking" and "reasoning":

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. [2 Corinthians 10.3-5]

Human reasoning attempts to explain everything in 'natural' terms and understanding. Unmerited love and favor from God simply does not fit the model of human reasoning. And then, to consider resurrection from the dead and miracles just further isolates the human reason-er from God.

It all comes back to simply accepting God's love in Christ in humble faith. "Humble" signifies repentance and "faith" signifies believing.

What is said in 1 Thessalonians 5.9 is in perfect harmony with what Jesus said on more than one occasion:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. [John 3.16-17]

And,

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. [John 12.44-47]

Oh how the Church today needs to return to this simplicity of repentance and faith! Say it again:

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. [1 Thessalonians 5.9]

Father, help me to make Your love manifest in the gift of Jesus Christ the theme of my life...