For a Change, Here's Some GOOD NEWS.

The news, am I right? I'm so tired. I'm tired of the hate, the sickness, the restrictions, the ranting, the dying, the rioting, the masking, the arguing, the politics, and the friends becoming ex-friends because of their opinions on all of the above. Bad. News. Sucks. So today I want to share some GOOD news. Put all that other stuff aside and listen to this...

It started today when I re-read Hebrews 4:14-5:10, "He learned obedience from the things he suffered..." It really struck me. Jesus was never disobedient, but his sufferings taught him obedience? 

Only when we suffer, is our obedience tested. When you choose not to do something you want to do, or to do something that is difficult for you, because of your relationship with God, that is obedience. When you don't choose the easy path, but instead choose the righteous path, that's obedience. When you choose to sacrifice what you want for what God wants, that's obedience. (When what God wants becomes what you want, that is transformation. But I digress.)

Sometimes we share the same sufferings Jesus endured...betrayal, abandonment by those who he thought loved him, a broken heart over the sin of his children, physical pain and torture. But his greatest suffering, was separation from his Father. 

You see, he carried our sin, and the consequence of sin is death. This doesn't mean that sin will always cause you to physically die; the consequence of sin is separation from God. That's a whole other level of death. 

Hebrews 4:16b says we can "come boldly to the throne of God and receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." In his time on the cross, Jesus was denied that privilege. He called for his Father, and His Father wasn't there. He was not offered comfort when he needed it most. Our call to obedience never demands as much as his obedience demanded. God doesn't tell us, "you will suffer many things and when you call out to me, I may or may not be there." Ironically, amazingly, because Jesus endured that horror, that silence, that darkness, we don't have to. So we should not take our privilege lightly. We should hold to it tightly, cherish it, be amazed by the magnitude of it - this privilege, this freedom, was bought at a high price.

In this world, leaving precious items on the shelf or in the garage unused, maintains or increases their value. Not so with our access to the throne of God.  It is not just for special occasions. We don't take it out now and then to show someone, or dust it off, and gingerly place it back. It is meant to be used regularly, frequently, to empower us to multiply its value as we share it with others. If we don't use it, we lessen what is possible through the gift in us. And honestly, how could we not want grace to help us when we need it most? 

Some may say, it's too late for me. I've done too much wrong, I'm unworthy to approach him. Hebrews 4:15 says he understands our weaknesses. The idea that we are too sad of creatures to approach him, denies the sacrifice of Jesus. Of course we're unworthy! That's why we needed Jesus' sacrifice. That IS amazing grace! 

So I encourage you, come boldly to the throne, receive his mercy and find grace to help when you need it most. Approach him with gratitude and joy. As opposed to the way Jesus suffered, when we endure any persecution or suffering, our Father will be right there with us, equipping us fully to persevere and ultimately, to conquer. FYI that is GOOD. NEWS.

"We proudly tell God's other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering." 2 Thess. 1:4-5