Do You Really Get It?

Today's My Utmost for His Highest is so good I have to share it here - but first with my two cents! After all.. isn't that what blogging is all about?

The bottom line is that, hello, it's not about us. It's really not. The focus is and should be on God alone. That's the focus Christ had... to do what God had called Him to do. We were just in the way. I first heard this from John Piper, nearly 10 years ago, when he spoke at Passion 98. I was slackjawed to hear that statement for I always gripped John 3:16 as my ammunition. But these thoughts can coexist. God did love the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son. But that's not why Christ came to earth (to take Chris Rice's words.. wrapped our injured flesh around Him)... but He did and I'm thankful. For this reason and this reason alone, I will one day see God face to face. Amazing Grace!

Here's the devotional...

The death of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment in history of the very mind
and intent of God. There is no place for seeing Jesus Christ as a martyr. His
death was not something that happened to Him— something that might have been
prevented. His death was the very reason He came.

Never build your case for forgiveness on the idea that God is our Father and He will forgive us because He loves us. That contradicts the revealed truth of God in Jesus Christ. It makes the Cross unnecessary, and the redemption "much ado about nothing." God forgives sin only because of the death of Christ. God could forgive people in no other way than by the death of His Son, and Jesus is exalted as Savior because of His death. "We see Jesus... for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor..." (Hebrews 2:9). The greatest note of triumph ever sounded in the ears of a startled universe was that sounded on the Cross of Christ— "It is finished!" (John 19:30). That is the final word in the redemption of humankind.

Anything that lessens or completely obliterates the holiness of God, through a false view of His love, contradicts the truth of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. Never allow yourself to believe that Jesus Christ stands with us, and against God, out of
pity and compassion, or that He became a curse for us out of sympathy for us.
Jesus Christ became a curse for us by divine decree. Our part in realizing the
tremendous meaning of His curse is the conviction of sin. Conviction is given to
us as a gift of shame and repentance; it is the great mercy of God. Jesus Christ
hates the sin in people, and Calvary is the measure of His hatred.

All for now,
Lisa