EASTER APPROACHES:Preparing to Reflect on the Cross
“Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.”
― John Piper, The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God's Delight in Being God
What a glorious thought by John Piper above. So many of us will utilize the approaching Lenten season to reflect on sin by means of fasting, reading more of our bible, praying more as individuals and corporately; but I really ask, how much of that reflection sticks to our souls after the Easter season? The question arises not out of an attempt to condemn anyone's practice and methodology to observe the Lenten-Easter season; rather, it is a conscious accountability to my own.
The questions begs a response for those like me who desire to gain a more significant interaction with the enabling gift that Grace is to sinners. We desire to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Cross; henceforth, gleaning daily from it's reflection of Christ Jesus and being energized by it's sparks. It is my opinion that many will enter and exit the Lenten-Easter season with the greatest intention to meet the Jesus of the Cross, even, have a heartfelt experience by remembering the agony of the cross through the many church services we'll attend; however, the understanding of, and a keen stirring of our hearts to treasure Christ and the Cross will sadly and unfortunately escape us.
So, the question of will the many forms of observation stick to our souls, or not for continued treasuring and obedience, comes to also alert us of what a wonderful opportunity the Lenten season offers to believers , that is, we can really be more intentional about studying the truths of the Cross, pray that God would reveal his marvelous grace in our understanding and application of such rich truths of Christ Jesus' life-death-resurrection. For it, the Cross, has afforded us grace that is power, not just pardon indeed. When we understand the Cross (What, Why, How and Who), we may then be seriously supple to be engaged about the Grace of God which calls us all to delightful obedience and uncompromising love to Christ.
― John Piper, The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God's Delight in Being God
The questions begs a response for those like me who desire to gain a more significant interaction with the enabling gift that Grace is to sinners. We desire to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Cross; henceforth, gleaning daily from it's reflection of Christ Jesus and being energized by it's sparks. It is my opinion that many will enter and exit the Lenten-Easter season with the greatest intention to meet the Jesus of the Cross, even, have a heartfelt experience by remembering the agony of the cross through the many church services we'll attend; however, the understanding of, and a keen stirring of our hearts to treasure Christ and the Cross will sadly and unfortunately escape us.
So, the question of will the many forms of observation stick to our souls, or not for continued treasuring and obedience, comes to also alert us of what a wonderful opportunity the Lenten season offers to believers , that is, we can really be more intentional about studying the truths of the Cross, pray that God would reveal his marvelous grace in our understanding and application of such rich truths of Christ Jesus' life-death-resurrection. For it, the Cross, has afforded us grace that is power, not just pardon indeed. When we understand the Cross (What, Why, How and Who), we may then be seriously supple to be engaged about the Grace of God which calls us all to delightful obedience and uncompromising love to Christ.
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