Rhapsody of Realities 24 December
SCRIPTURE: …despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4).
Romans 2:4 highlights something very powerful about the goodness of God: it provides the opportunity for repentance. In the Old Testament, the threat of judgment didn’t get the children of Israel to repent or obey God. But in the New Testament, He didn’t threaten us with judgments, because we’re His obedient ones (1 Peter 1:14). We’re described as having “obeyed” His Word of truth from the heart (Romans 6:17). Thus, He brought us into His goodness and love. Instead of judgment, He shows us His mercy.
God knows that if we would preach and tell the world about His love and goodness, they’d repent and turn to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV) says, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” This is the difference. He knows we’ve sinned, but in Christ, He’s not counting our sins against us.
Read Yesterday’s Rhapsody of Realities Here
Joel in his prophecy (Joel 2:10-13), along with Zephaniah, said the people’s sins were being counted against them and because of that, judgment was coming to them (Zephaniah 1:14-15). But in our day, it’s different. The problem of sin was taken care of through the sacrifice of Jesus in our behalf. As a result of that sacrifice, God reconciled the world to Himself; He brought humanity into peace with Himself. Now He has sent us to take the message of His goodness and love to the world and reconcile people to Him.
Therefore, make this Christmas count for someone who hasn’t yet known the Lord. You’ll meet them at the mall. They’ll be at that family function you plan to attend. They’ll be at the park you’re taking your kids to play. You’d see some of them on your way home from Church. Let them know God isn’t punishing them for their sins. He already laid the punishment on Jesus Christ in their place and if they’d only believe, eternal life and righteousness will be imparted to their spirits. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION: Lord, I pray that as your children minister the Gospel today around the world, righteousness is poured forth upon the nations, resulting in an avalanche of souls coming into the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,
17 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.
Romans 5:6-10
6 While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly.
7 Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die.
8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
9 Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His [resurrection] life.
Romans 10:13-15
13 For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved.
14 But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?
15 And how can men [be expected to] preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings! [How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!]
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 16 & Haggai 1-2
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 18:13-24 & Zechariah 3-4
Thank you for studying today’s Rhapsody of Realities – His Goodness Leads to Repentance – written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
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Rhapsody of Realities 24 December 2022
