Sue O’Donnell. 08.12.20
“ ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’.” (Mark 1 v 15)
Advent, the season of hopefulness
For those who believe in Christ Jesus,
Knowing He lived and died for us.
Jesus’ †is the place of loving healing
Where all our sinfulness meets with forgiveness.
Our Father could not have shown mercy towards us,
If it were not for the sacrifice of Jesus.
“ ‘Truly this Man was the Son of God’!” (Mark 15 v 39)
For sinfulness cannot go unpunished.
Justice has to be meted out to undo sinfulness.
This is exactly what Jesus did for us,
Giving Himself in place of us for punishment.
His holiness was sacrificed for our forgiveness.
This is why Advent is a special season
Where we focus on all Jesus does for us.
“As often as the Lord’s blood is shed, it is poured out for the forgiveness of sins; so I ought to receive it always, that my sin may always be forgiven.” (St Ambrose)
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin
And calls us to begin again by repentance.
Repentance genuinely expressed in remorse,
Qualifies for the forgiveness Jesus wins for us.
Love and mercy embody forgiveness, cleansing and healing us.
The rest is up to us to accept this,
The first step being to acknowledge our sin.
“Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your word.” (Luke 1 v 38 NRSV)
Acknowledging our own sin, that is, all faults and failings.
Often we are expert at spotting another’s failings,
But rather slower to acknowledge our own.
If hoping to travel home to heaven accompanied by the Lord Jesus,
We must acknowledge our sins which resulted in His †.
Mercifully in doing this, in the Spirit’s conviction
Showing us where we go wrong and fail, results in mercy.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51 v 10, 11)
Following our repentance offered of course, sincerely,
Then comes conversion, our return to the joy,
The hope, the peace and reassurance of the Lord Jesus’ friendship,
Our salvation secured just as was promised.
We read this in chapter 10 of the biblical letter to the Hebrews.
Redemption follows our reconciliation with the Trinity,
According to the working of God’s amazing mercy to be appreciated.
“...giving thanks always for all things to God our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5 v 20)
Convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, we have to begin again.
Firstly we must admit to our sorrow, how we have failed
The highest standards of love the Lord Jesus sets for us.
Then we have to firmly resolve to try harder,
To do better at overcoming faults and failings by always praying.
Just as introspection will need a time of prayerful concentration,
And conviction needs a change of direction.
“I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit...and established my steps.” (Psalm 40 v 12)
Redemption means a willing continuation, a prayerful decision
To become immersed in the life of the Lord Jesus,
Striving to share in His holiness, offered by God to us.
When we claim to be family, there has to be a likeness,
A close resemblance to the Lord Jesus’ holiness
Made possible by the purifying Holy Spirit.
Willing, able and wanting to ever convert us to holiness.
“...Christ has now come to live in you, and in Him alone is your hope of glory, now and for all eternity.” (Colossians 1 v 27 The Truth)
Forgiveness being essential to establish and enhance this faith,
The Spirit of God convicts us of sin
For a kind, loving and helpful purpose, not for condemnation.
He wants us to seek and gain the life and immortality
Which is promised to us through our Saviour Jesus,
God’s mercy ever His response to all our sinfulness.
Advent is the season of glorious hope in salvation.
“This is why we speak only of Christ, encouraging, correcting and teaching everyone with the wisdom He has given us, so that we can present everyone perfect in Christ because they believe the gospel
we proclaim.” (Colossians 1 v 28 The Truth)
“In You, Yahweh, I take refuge, I shall never be put to shame. In Your saving justice rescue me, deliver me, listen to me and save me. Be a sheltering rock for me, always accessible; You have determined to save me, for You are my rock, my fortress.” (Psalm 71 v 1, 2, 3 TNJB)
Lord God, You are our Deliverer. Please deliver us from all sin into the freedom won for us by the Lord Jesus at the †, pardon mercifully meted out.
Lord God, You are our Protector. Please protect us from satan, prowling around waiting to pounce on some unsuspecting victim, wanting to destroy him or her.
Lord God, You are merciful. Please look not on our sins, but on the mercy awarded us when we claim righteousness by means of the † of Jesus.
Lord God, You, by the Holy Spirit, are our Purifier. “You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden parts You will make us know wisdom,” (Psalm 51 v 6changed to plural) helping us to see where we go wrong.
Lord God, You, by the Spirit, are ever at work redeeming all sinfulness. Please “Purge us with hyssop and we shall be clean; wash us, and we shall be whiter than snow.” (v 7 changed to plural)
Lord God, You, by the Holy Spirit, are our Sanctifier. “O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth, render punishment to the proud,” (Psalm 54 v 1, 2) but please do so mercifully to put all of life back on the right track.
Lord God, You are our Father. Please Father us through the all loving mercy You show us, according to the promise and fulfilment of our Saviour Brother, our sins’ atonement.
Lord God, You are our Saviour in Christ Jesus, Your beloved Son, our perfectly holy Brother, offering to share His resurrected life with us. Please bless this.
Lord God, You are our Redeemer by means of the †where Jesus made the perfect sacrifice with His own life. Please allow the whole world to see the salvation bestowed upon us.
Lord God, faithfully steadfast in all areas and aspects of loving kindness, of forgiveness, of mercy, allowing for us to make a new life in following Jesus’ way, His truth, His model of holy living, we praise and thank
You sincerely.
“Your testimonies are very sure.” (Psalm 93 v 5) “Open our eyes that we may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119 v 18 changed to plural) and adhering to the friendship of our Brother, the Saviour, open always to the impact and influence of the Holy Spirit, keep us faithful to all You ask of us.
Lord God, Eternal Father, please grant us a long life as a disciple of Jesus, offering back to You our reverence and respect in our way of treating everybody as they deserve, having been made in Your image.
May we desire, think, plan, purpose, do, say, nothing that offends Your holiness, nor Your wishes for making us to be Your family by being holy.
“A disciple’s ear, O Lord, grant us. A disciple’s heart, O Lord, grant us. A disciple’s obedience, O Lord, create in us. With a disciple’s love, O Lord, fill us.” (Source unknown, the invocation changed to plural)
Dearest Father, eternal almighty, our worship, our wonder, our thanks, our praise, our trust and dependency as we long for Your mercy “Holiness adorns Your house O LORD, forever” (Psalm 93 v 5) now in this
Advent season of hope, we rejoice in the Holy Spirit’s intervention, causing us to focus on Jesus our Saviour so our conversion to holiness is well under way.
Let us not look back, but forwards, dwelling in Your peace, loved and being loved, forgiven and forgiving, confident in Your all loving mercy as You send us the Lord Jesus as Divine Healer, the Holy Spirit as Advocate. Never are we alone nor helpless. Lighten our darkness, Lord God and defend us from all the perils of sinfulness. At Christmas and beyond, let the power of holy love ever find fulfilment without sins’ intervention. I ask this in the holy name of Jesus, Lord, Saviour and Healer. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
REDEMPTION
SANCTIFICATION
