Have A Conversation With Yourself

What is worthy of your thoughts? 

Jesus willfully submitting Himself to take on His Father’s wrath against sin by standing in the place of truly guilt-ridden humans is what changes a person’s eternity. 

This is clearly the shocking intent of both the apostle Paul and the Holy Spirit as 2 Cor. 5:21 so clearly declares. 

It is shocking to think that God, the Father, who could not leave sin unpunished, took out His wrath and justice on the most perfect, innocent Lamb, His Son, so that we might be justified and considered “not guilty” though we are full of offenses against Him. 

Have you paused and thought through that again lately? Have you clarified that to yourself in your thoughts as you’ve been hurt in a relationship? Have you thought through what God accomplished on your behalf as you’ve felt wrong was done towards you? Have you clarified that to yourself as you’ve felt some circumstances haven’t worked out in your favor? 

We all need to articulate that to ourselves several times each day. In the past centuries, they used to call it “preaching to yourself,” the gospel. That sounds a little weird because most people do not consider themselves to be a preacher. But it means articulating and reminding yourself of the truths of the gospel—namely that we have been treated with much more grace and mercy than we deserve. And then ask how does that change my thinking in my current situation? 

• Someone has offended me either purposefully or without knowing it. How do I respond? I can either hold that against them or forgive—because as I remind myself of how much I’ve been forgiven my heart should be softened to forgive what has happened to me.

• Life’s circumstances haven’t seemed to work out just like I had hoped they would. Whether it’s sick kids, health issues, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, financial stressors, frustration at your work or with your superiors—in every situation—How do I respond? I can either remain in the frustration phase or remind myself (preach to yourself) that I’ve experienced a complete pardon from all my sin…I’ve been forgiven…I have the hope of eternity without suffering, pain, or sin—and this present affliction is temporary and light because of the gospel. 

Without Jesus on the cross—all church events and church services are worthless. Completely pointless. Nothing could rid us of our true state of being guilty before God. 

And not only was it God’s design to use the articulated gospel message to transform people’s hearts—but it was also God’s design to have parents and grandparents and single parents and adopted parents and struggling parents and pseudo-parents and parents of all kinds to share the truths about His salvation and mercy to all peoples. 

At New Beginnings, we desire for the gospel to be articulated and lived out as well as for our families to teach this great gospel message diligently to the next generation. 

Pause. Take time to think back through the gospel's beauty. 

Sankie P. Lynch

Pastor of Families

www.nbchurch.info

www.nbfamilies.info