" He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things."
I've read or heard this verse more than 100 times, and I've always read it as a promise of blessing, of an abundance of many good things - physical or material things. How is it that we so easily take in the spiritual with such a focus on the physical. How quickly we seek to gratify the flesh. I translated this to mean that He will graciously/freely give me all good, happy, easy things, but is this anyone's life experience? If He is giving us ALL THINGS and it is going to take His grace...and look like the same things He gave His Son " along with him" ... what does that look like.
Well, as I examine His Son's life: born into scandal, multiple attempts on His life, wrongfully accused at every turn, poor, rejected, homeless, suffering, crucified... hmm. Do I receive these " all things" as grace gifts? And it doesn't take long looks or much pondering to see how His prize/favored friends are treated and to consider the "all things" they are given. Without a full reliance on His grace and goodness, this verse once understood with such joy and eagerness could cause a person to shrink back and decline such favor and attention.
Yet, His grace is there in the fire and the fight. His goodness does bring it and carry us through it and these gifts are good because they bring us God who is the ultimate GOOD. And in the midst of what His Son suffered and may others before and after, He is Faithful.
No comments:
Post a Comment