♥ February 14, 2019
For full passage click: 1 Corinthians 15:16-20 …“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” vs. 17
For Paul, God’s greatest act of love was forgiveness, and he often speaks of Jesus’ death on the cross as the atoning sacrifice that removed our sins. In this passage however, he links forgiveness to resurrection and says that, if Christ had not been raised, we would still be in our sins. In other words, the cross would be pointless if it weren’t for the open tomb. It’s important for us to remember this as we continue our journey. Too often we spend our time looking back and trying to remember our sins, perhaps even enumerating them so we can get absolution and be made pure. But maybe it’s more important to be looking forward as we move through our days. What God promises is not just cleansing, but a whole new life. We are walking into transformation, and day-by-day are being remade in the image of Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. Of course it’s a good thing to be able to live free of guilt, but it’s even better to live in anticipation of being a re-creation and a new person! Today is Valentine’s Day. Some of us will get special cards from our lovers. Our best valentine is Jesus, the heart of God enfleshed, and in him our faith is not futile. Our sins have been forgiven and in him we’re getting new hearts, transplants that will last forever.
Thought for the Day: Who is my special valentine? ♥
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