Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Remembering from Whence We Came

I love Easter! Hectic though it is with all the extra services, I enjoy this time of year above all others. It is our time of rebirth, new life, fresh starts - like New Year - only better.

Right before everything hit the fan, Jesus began a new tradition that has been passed down to us. We call it communion. But it was also an extension of an old tradition called Passover. He told his closest followers, "As often as you do this, remember me." Remember how God brought his people out of captivity, remember how God brought us out of captivity to sin and death, remember how God brought us as individuals into a close relationship with him, remember how we became new, remember ...

When David was in his deepest despair, he cried out, "restore to me the joy of my salvation." What is your heart's cry? When you are disconnected, ineffective or frustrated, remember.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. (2 Pet 1:7-9)

Right before that, Peter says that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, so nothing is beyond our grasp. If we will make the effort to apply His truth and His power to our lives/relationships/decisions, we can be effective and productive. But if we are not increasing in goodness, knowledge, self-control, etc. we have forgotten.

Remember!

You are free. You are a new creation. Live like it.