"Let Us Have Christ!"

    Just as problems with sin stem from weakness in grace (as referenced in yesterday's essay, "Let Us Have Grace"), so does failure to appropriate God's grace originate in the need to better know the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    "The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 1:14).

     The Lord Jesus serves as the supply for every spiritual dilemma and lack.  "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).  Problems with prayer, for example, are actually problems regarding our apprehension of Christ.  Bitterness and unforgiveness result from failure to know and experience our Lord's character, nature, and way.  Attitudinal sins flow from darkness regarding His heart and motivation.  The list goes on, and is all inclusive.  "Let us have grace" must be interpreted in terms of "Let us have Christ."  We shall find God's unmerited favor and working in our lives from no other source.

    "Heavenly Father, all grace and truth exists in Your beloved Son, and our beloved Savior.  In this and in every day, reveal Him more and more to our hearts and minds as we open Your Word, as we pray, as we relate to people, and as live our lives in the light of Christ.  We confess how easily distracted we are from this Source and Sustenance of all things, and we ask Your forgiveness for so often diverting our gaze from "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."  We believe Him to be the Fount of Your abounding grace.  As a Biblical voice of old once cried, however, "Help Thou my unbelief!" 

    We seek Your grace, Father, and thus, we seek Your Christ, the Lord of grace.  We trust You to work in us to fix our gaze upon Him, and we choose to do so anew and afresh in this moment, and in this day.  Thank You so much for so great a salvation, as provided by so great a Savior.  Christ only, Christ always, Christ forever!  This is Your devotion and determination, blessed Father, and we join You in the glory of the Son of Your love, and in the Savior of ours... In His name we pray, Amen."

"His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."

(Colossians 1:14-19) 

Weekly Memory Verse
   The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by which we draw nigh unto God.
(Hebrews 7:19)