A Purposeful Minister who lived and died with reason because He loved me; these two elements of my faith are crucial to how I know Jesus. There is no greater revelation than this in the Gospel. Sure, I can find many more words, and I will. But this is the crux of "the Gospel According to Me." First, it matters to me that He did everything He did: healing, feeding, teaching, dying on purpose. Nothing was accidental, but it was all part of Plan A...His plan. He's in charge and it went as He planned. He had a reason for dying. Second, it all hinged on His love for me. Yes, there you have it...it's all about me. Jesus came for ME. And, I love Him because He first loved ME. I did not know how to love until He loved ME. Only through His eyes that were turned in my direction could I see the world reflected enough to turn my gaze from myself. Otherwise I am a sorry creature.
You see, it is not religion, but a personal thing for ME. I'm not talking about religion per se, but about family. I never had to wonder if I was good enough for God. The sermon that led me to the altar at the age of 14 was titled, "Ragman." The Senior youth Camp Evangelist preached about a God who wanted us no matter how filthy we were.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. If He had told me Jesus was looking for somebody clean, I would never have gone forward. If he had said I was good enough for Jesus, I would have thought he was lying. I knew what I amounted to, without Jesus. He preached that Jesus came to die for filthy sinners. So, I never have to stop and wonder if God is tired of me. I never have to guess if He thinks he got a bad deal. Instead, I find myself trying hard to make sure He gets something of value out of the deal, simply because I love Him. What can I bring to the table to strike a deal with the God who struck the deal before I arrived at the table? Since that is impossible, I only want to find a gift for Him. There is no gift fit for such a Giver, other than ME. If He gave His all for ME, then I will give Him ME. Your Gospel will be empty if YOU are not in it.
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.
-my favorite song
You see, it is not religion, but a personal thing for ME. I'm not talking about religion per se, but about family. I never had to wonder if I was good enough for God. The sermon that led me to the altar at the age of 14 was titled, "Ragman." The Senior youth Camp Evangelist preached about a God who wanted us no matter how filthy we were.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. If He had told me Jesus was looking for somebody clean, I would never have gone forward. If he had said I was good enough for Jesus, I would have thought he was lying. I knew what I amounted to, without Jesus. He preached that Jesus came to die for filthy sinners. So, I never have to stop and wonder if God is tired of me. I never have to guess if He thinks he got a bad deal. Instead, I find myself trying hard to make sure He gets something of value out of the deal, simply because I love Him. What can I bring to the table to strike a deal with the God who struck the deal before I arrived at the table? Since that is impossible, I only want to find a gift for Him. There is no gift fit for such a Giver, other than ME. If He gave His all for ME, then I will give Him ME. Your Gospel will be empty if YOU are not in it.
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.
-my favorite song
