Reflection

NOTE: I wrote this over Christmas break last year after much reflection on life and my current circumstances)


"Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace" Ephesians 2:12-14


For he himself is our peace. What a wonderful statement! Six words, yet so much more here than words. Jesus Christ himself is our peace. How often have we felt restless? Anxious? Nervous and uncertain? We can rest now, because peace is here. Peace is a person and his name is Jesus! Jesus Christ came to the world to save the world from itself. Sin had stained the world and affected every part of it. It stained humanity, affecting every facet our our person. We are utterly helpless and hopeless apart from a Savior. It's amazing how blind we have been. How self-sufficiency was our boast and how long we lived thinking we needed no savior. "Saved? What do I need to be saved from? I'm doing pretty good and don't need to be rescued". This was our attitude and we were deceived. It was true and right to say we had "no hope" and were "without God in the world". But then Jesus came. He lived the life we should have lived. He perfectly obeyed the father and was tempted in every way as we were, yet without sin. He was the only innocent one to ever live, yet we killed him. He died on the cross for us. For you and I, the ones who hated and despised him. The ones who mocked him and rejected him. He was our substitute and it was with his stripes that we were healed. He came to this world to rescue us from ourselves.

From hopeless to hopeful we become. Instantly, if we turn from our sins and trust in this sinless Savior! His name is Jesus, and yes, he does "take away the sins of the world". They are completely gone from you as far as the east is from the west! Jesus died to rescue us and save us from ourselves. Once we realize this and turn to him, we will have peace.


"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."
Isaiah 45:22

O Turn Ye, For Why Will Ye Die

"Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” Ezekiel 18:31-32


O turn ye, O turn ye, for why will ye die,
When God, in great mercy, is coming so nigh?
Now Jesus invites you, the Spirit says Come!
And angels are waiting to welcome you home.

How vain the delusion, that while you delay
Your hearts may grow better, your chains melt away!
Come guilty, come wretched, come just as you are;
All helpless and dying, to Jesus repair.

The contrite in heart he will freely receive,
O why will you not the glad message believe?
If sin be your burden, why will you not come?
’Tis you He makes welcome, He bids you come home.



Words: Samson Occom