Good morning:
“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” the hair cutter said. He went on to explain, “I’ve been trying to get closer to God, but I’m not sure how to do it. I’m reading the Bible, but is there something else?”
It’s a common question and a vital one. By nature everyone is separated from God by sin. “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Is. 59:2). The answer many arrive at is that it must be up to them discover God, whether within themselves or somewhere else. Has anyone ever told you that they are on a spiritual journey to find God? Apart from the Word, it’s a hopeless cause. By nature everyone is spiritually blind and an enemy of God.
Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (Jn. 15:16). In His mercy, God does not wait for a person to find Him. He reaches out to the sinner and reveals Himself in His Word. I assured my hair cutter that God is as close as His Word, and that by reading and studying it, the Lord would be right there with him.
The Word assures us that in Jesus God came to live among us. John wrote: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (Jn. 1:18). Jesus came to bridge the chasm between us and God by taking our sin and its punishment upon Himself. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
So today spend some quality time with the Lord in His Word. Look forward to coming to His house for worship. In tomorrow’s sermon text (1 Cor. 12:1-11) the apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual gifts which the Lord bestows upon believers through the Holy Spirit. Those gifts are the evidence that He is close to all who call on His name.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are at the usual 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
The adult Bible class will be looking at Mary’s visit to Elisabeth after the angel’s announcement that she would be the Lord’s mother. Thought-starter: Can your job be a ministry?
The public school confirmation class meets at 12:15 p.m.
