Listen:
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIVUK
Reflect:
Paul is speaking confidently on Christ’s behalf. He is so sure of this message, he put’s Christ’s name on it, “Please, please, please, be reconciled to God”
Christ loves us so much that he intertwined his own life with ours: our lives bound together forever. He gave for us to take, in order to make reconciliation possible; a rejoining of lives that were always meant to be unified.
He offers a lifesaving gift to his precious loved ones. If his beloved will only take the gift, he won’t have to watch them suffer and they won’t be separated from him, in fact they will be brought safely into his loving home for ever. The gift is good for them, he wants them to have it. He was happy to suffer greatly to craft this gift of life, entering into darkness and danger to bring his beloved into safety. To give them life, he experienced death and amazingly, he considers the cost worthwhile. He offers his gift with a gentle invitation. Will you take it?
Please my little one, take my gift. I love you. Believe me, it’s true – I love you, yes, even you.
Prayer of Response:
Lord forgive me and help me. Thank you for your gift of life. Help me to accept it fully and to grasp the depth of love with which you offer it.
Questions to Ponder:
- Do you allow Jesus to give you his gift? Do you believe he really does want you to take it?
- Do you receive it fully with joy or do you hold back and wonder if you can do something to earn it or get it for yourself?
Child of God, please take his gift and see the joy in his eyes when you say yes.
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): Thank you Lord Jesus
Exhale (Breathe out): I love you and accept your gift
(Repeat)
—Submitted by: Sylvana Botterill
Sylvana joined Lifesprings at its beginning in France. She now lives in the UK and works within the local church as a discipleship group leader and a mentor. She is part of the Lifesprings International prayer team.
Feature photo by DiEtte Henderson on Unsplash