Sue O’Donnell. 11.06.20
“There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2 v 5, 6
Christ’s life was gifted us,
For us to share in the Trinity,
Us becoming an adopted family.
Reflect on the greatness
Of His love and mercy.
“...Infinite Greatness loved those who were of earth and ashes, creatures laden with sins immeasurable.” St John Chrysostom
The situation appeared impossible,
But according to the Lord God’s greatness,
It was not, He provided a solution for sinfulness.
This was the outcome of love’s resolution,
To forgive and forget our waywardness.
“And the act which springs from that love is equally indicative of its vastness.” St John Chrysostom
The † seems such an unlikely answer
To the vexing problem of our sinfulness.
The Lord Jesus hung on the † for us,
Sacrificing His holy life of loving service,
To gift us redemption when we seek this.
“Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23 v 12
God gifts us freely His only Son,
Where upon death on the †
The Lord Jesus’ loss, becomes our gain,
The frame of a new life
Supported, strengthened by His own Spirit.
“ ‘For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved’.” John 3 v 17
What infinite love is this, allowing the †!
We are not condemned, nor punished.
Justice demanded payment, Jesus accomplished this,
Offering His sinless life as reparation,
Our preparation for heaven made by the Lord Jesus.
“The infinite charity of God overcame justice in that it bestowed the highest blessing upon the world giving it salvation through Him.” Father Cornelius à Lapide
Christ Jesus, the living, abiding Word of God,
Manifest and magnifies to the utmost God’s love for us.
Perfect love was manifest in the Lord Jesus
To bestow eternal life upon us, His brothers and sisters,
By His death on the †, as our Father, our Lord.
“...who desires all (wo)men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2 v 4
We have been made sinless by Christ Jesus,
But have to work so as to maintain this status.
We must keep the commandments, all based on love,
Receive the holy sacraments, given out of love,
And persevere in prayer, offering our love in return.
“Salvation consists in this: that Christ sees us in the light of His love. To be able to do this, He gives us a share in His love, communicates it to us and clothes us in His love.” Adrienne von Speyr
Believing in the saving love of the Lord Jesus,
Requires a daily encounter with His friendship,
As animated by the Spirit of holiness,
Who is dedicated to making sinners into saints,
That the love of the Lord Jesus is effective through us.
“Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice, or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a Person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” Pope Benedict XVI
It is the Holy Spirit who is in charge of this.
He will enlarge our vision as to the quality of life
When lived through the love of Jesus in us.
The Spirit empowers this through prayer of seeking,
Whereby we conform our life to that of the Lord Jesus.
“Believing in the glorification of Jesus on the cross opens up to us the overflowing force of the Holy Spirit from within.” Father Peter John Cameron
Now we understand better the command of our Father’s mercy,
And how we are blessed by a new identity,
Freely gifted by the risen and ascended Christ Jesus
Who as promised, sends His Spirit to us,
Always in the cause of holiness.
“ ‘(S)he who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his (her) heart will flow rivers of living. water’.” John 7 v 37
The entire reason behind the Lord Jesus’ mission,
His coming to save us from sin and separation,
His love bestowing forgiveness on us at the †,
Is our full and complete union with the Trinity,
A blessing beyond all others, our new identity and sanctity.
“He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7 v 39
“ ‘And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment’.” John 16 v 8
O Lord, “Open the gates that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him (her) in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.” Isaiah 26 v 3
“For in YAH, the LORD is everlasting strength,” (v 4) as we discover through developing our friendship with the Lord Jesus, being ever open to the godly impact of the Spirit showing us “...we are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64 v 8
Thank You for sending us a Saviour and a sanctifier to accomplish the mighty works of mankind’s redemption. We delight to belong to You, holy Father, through the Lord Jesus and the anointing Spirit. What a most glorious fellowship we are blessed by, truly fully blessed.
There is nothing fuller, richer, better in life than learning to love, honour and serve You holy Father, through our focus on the Lord Jesus, heeding the Holy Spirit of wise discernment as to all You ask of us, task for us.
The Holy Spirit convinces us that we are the children of the resurrection when we become believers in Your beloved Son. We are pilgrims on a journey of exciting discovery, travelling in one direction only, heavenwards.
Oh the amazing blessings of knowing the Lord Jesus as our Companion and Guide through our acceptance of the Holy Spirit, the Helper revealing all holy truth to us. He, like the Lord Jesus is the joy Giver.
The sacred heart of the Lord Jesus gifted us, this is the most glorious outcome of the Holy Spirit, for it causes us to devote to many a godly purpose, no love held back. Let every thought, all our efforts and each prayer be united in love with the true love manifest in Jesus.
Let us make reparation for all sinfulness, by genuine remorse expressed penitentially, asking for the grace of the forgiveness found at the †and the determination to fulfil our re-created life according to the ever purifying Spirit.
(based on 1 Corinthians 10 v 31) Open to the Spirit, focussed on the Lord Jesus, “Let whatever we do be done to Your glory, holy Father,” being done out of nothing but love and respect, according to the will to honour
You.
I ask for the continuing blessings, those benefits and more that we have already joyfully received, that our work be done to the very best of our ability so as to love, honour and serve You, Father through our turning to the Saviour and Sanctifier who will shape our every attitude and action if we but ask for this.
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love.” (Traditional Prayer) Dearest Father, send forth Your Spirit, that we will be re-created in the friendship of the Lord Jesus, ever living to delight You.
Currently in the face of fear, anxiety, worry and the bereavements caused by Covid 19, we need to re-affirm our belief in the Trinity, turning to You as our highest, fullest security, a benefit that will never fail us, whatever is going on around us. Faith must find its solutions in Your
love. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
PRAYER
HOLINESS
