According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)
A good friend of mine approached me a few weeks back regarding “going through a dry spell” in his faith. Of course, being a Christian most of my life, I resonated with this and knew exactly what he was experiencing. The desire to be in God’s Word, in prayer, and in community with other believers was running low.
When I was in the middle of my competitive golf career, I was very hard on myself, especially during and right after I would get a lesson. I’d schedule these lessons when I was exhausted, tired, and not performing my best, so I came to them at my lowest. My instructor would give me hope, an instructional tip, or advice that would get me back on the right track.
Having gone through many hardships, trials, and dry seasons in my own faith, I have been given much advice, or Christian “tips,” to get me back on track—some good, some bad, some so-so.
What have I discovered in my short 27 years of life and only two and a half years of ministry? Simply this: As brothers and sisters in Christ, we must continually remind each other of the Gospel at all times. When we win a big tournament, we must be reminded of the Gospel. When we sin and feel down, we must be reminded of the Gospel. Why?
You see, if you’re in Christ and have surrendered your life to the Lord, then the Gospel is true for you all of the time, no matter what. Jesus living the perfect life and dying on the cross for all of your sins in order to present you righteous, blameless, and with no blemish is the best news anyone can hear. And you are anyone!
I could have given this friend of mine a list of dos and don’ts to help him “get back on track.” I could manage his life in order for him to think that he is back into a right relationship with God. But, this isn’t hope. This is more tiredness, more exhaustion, more fatigue.
I simply reminded this friend of mine of the hope that he has in Jesus. I reminded him of today’s passage, that the hope he has, even though he doesn’t necessarily feel it very much, is an everlasting hope. It is a hope that we have that God keeps for us and in no way, shape, or form are we responsible to keep it.
He, God, does for us what we could not do for ourselves. He made a way possible for me, Rosson Anderson, a grave and notorious sinner, to become righteous through Jesus’ perfect life and bloody death on the cross. My God, even though I am still a sinner, looks at me as though he is viewing his perfect Son.
This is good news, brothers and sisters. This is the hope that believers have in Christ. It is done. He paid the price. Now live out of who God says you are, out of that hope that he places inside you.
—
Rosson Anderson
January 6, 2016
Copyright 2016 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.