2 Correnthians 5:19 & 20
"19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
We are celebrating Jesus becoming incarnate during the season of Advent! Our study this week is A Baby Needs A Change. This reminds us that Jesus came into the world as a helpless baby needing all the CARE that babies require. This also reminds us that no matter our age and situation; we are all like babies with dirty diapers needing to be changed. We have sinned and messed up the things we are living in.
We get our own CHANGE; Baptism is a washing and a cleaning. We become clean by this SACRAMENT. We are born dirty and God changes us. "... if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW." To continue our analogy; we get a clean diaper wrapped around us! We are changed and refreshed!! Praise be to God!!! "And all things are of God, who hath RECONCILED us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of RECONCILIATION;" That dirty diaper (sin) is the reason our relationship with GOD was broken. GOD is good and Holy and we were alienated from Him by our sins and willful wrong doing. Without any of our effort or initiative Jesus was sacrificed on the cross for our wrong doings and we are given His right doings in exchange!?! It is an amazing great exchange that defies all explanation!!!
Today's verses; "To wit, that God was in Christ, RECONCILING the world unto Himself, NOT imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of RECONCILIATION. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye RECONCILED to God." We, you, me and our world needs RECONCILIATION with God. And! We have it through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Each of us just needs to accept the GIFT of GRACE.
Confession of sins and absolution is a cornerstone of the historic liturgy of the church. It is a command from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The podcast linked is a GREAT discussion and teaching...
https://issuesetc.org/2021/12/06/3431-the-historic-liturgy-part-2-pr-will-weedon-pr-sean-daenzer-12-6-21/
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