It just dawned on me that it's Monday and I haven't written a devotional for awhile now.  Can't seem to get into the habit. 

 

Our first Sunday school unit this year was on John the Baptist and was followed by  the students participating in the worship service yesterday.  As I prepared for the sermon, I was once again reminded about how radical the gospel of Jesus Christ really is. 

 

Remember that John the Baptist was called to help people "get ready" for the coming of the Christ.  Look at what John preached:  Repent and live a better life; share what you have; be honest.  Isn't that what Christian living is all about???  Well, apparently not.  John was just the "forerunner of Christ."  He said that One was coming who was far greater than he; he wasn't even good enough to untie Jesus' sandals.  Jesus baptized not just with water but with Holy Spirit. 

 

Sometimes we are very quick to equate morality and Christianity.  That's a mistake.  Christianity is so far beyond morality that there's no way we can get there by ourselves.  "Cleaning up our acts" is just  preliminary to what Christ has done.  We must never be convinced that what we do is what puts us into a right relationship with God.  All that we can do is live in grateful response to the One who has put His Spirit within us and covered us with His blood. 

 

The Gospel is "radical stuff."  We do our Lord a disservice and minimize His sacrifice when we attempt to "water it down" with our own good intentions and/or good deeds.  Instead we are called to "rejoice and be glad;"  Christ has come; the Lord is King!

 

Peace,