Sunday, July 31, 2011

Truly Thanking God

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:13

As Jesus tells his disciples to love each other as he has loved them, He foreshadows His death in the scripture above. They were saddened, not yet realizing what His death would do.

Generations later, as we read the same words we REJOICE because we know what His death has done for us.
The gravity of Christ's sacrifice is beyond what our alphabet can capture.

When we accept the gift that He has freely given, we want to thank Him. But how can we thank a Holy God? It's almost like the question, "What do you give to the person who has everything?"

Jesus gave His life for us because He loves us deeply. We can say thank you by surrendering our lives to Him - completely.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:39 (16:24)

By dying to ourselves and allowing Christ to live in us, we can carry out His commands. This makes us His friend. (John 15:14)

When a friend gives a gift, we say thank you, but our actions are what most reflect our gratitude. Yes, God wants to hear us give thanks, but He is even more pleased when He sees us living out our thanks. (John15:17)

He died for you. Won't you live for Him?