September 25, 2009

“Something happened in you.”

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is probably the apostle Paul’s first letter. In chapter one, verse one, he addresses the Thessalonians as being “in” Jesus Christ.

“In” is a huge word for Paul. If there is one single thing that Paul summarizes everything that Paul wrote and all that his life entailed it would be the phrase “in Christ”.

“In”.

Are you aware , as a believer, not a perfect, doubt free, sin free believer, but the normal messed up, sinful, imperfect kind, like me, that Jesus Christ actually lives in you? And that you are “in” Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ, the Creator and sustainer of the universe (see Colossians one if you don’t believe that) lives in you. He loves you, not in spite of your sin, but with it, just as you are, no strings attached. He’s working on you, for you, and nothing that happens in your world happens without his permission and without his working it all for good.

In fact, listen to this astonishing verse which I noticed for the first time ever just this week.

"The things which are done in secret are shameful even to speak of; but anything shown up by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated is itself a light."
Ephesians 5:12-14 (NJB)

Paul writes that Christ turns even the worst and most shameful sins into light, they actually get transformed from evil to beauty. This is beyond comprehension, but it is also true! This is what the Christ in you is doing right now with your life.

Allow yourself to believe. Allow yourself to be amazed. Allow yourself to say “thank you” over and over and over again. Allow yourself to imagine being loved and cared for and to be covered by God your Father in this way.

Allow God to put into you the full impact of his love for you. God’s word to You? “I love you.” “I love you.” “I love you.”