Five Things I Love about Christ: An Easter Meme

My dear friend, Mr. T. Paine of Saving Common Sense fame (http://savingcommonsense.blogspot.com/), tagged me in this Easter Meme. So, here we go!

The Five Things I Love about Christ

1. Unconditional Love - For the majority of my life I have sought after the unconditional love and acceptance of my parents. It has never been granted me. In their eyes I am constant and utter failure. It's sad, isn't it? But Christ....ahhhh Christ, not only does He accept me, He wants me. He sees my many flaws and weaknesses and loves me none the less. 

*For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son...John 3:16

2. Sanctification: It's for Everyone - faith brings peace with God. Knowing that I am unable, of my own accord, to be perfect, still God shows us that through the difficulties of this life, we can grow and learn and change.

*Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in  hope of the glory of God. and not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. -Romans 5:1-5

3. He died for Me - Blood. It's messy. It stains. It's the ultimate price of redemption and He paid the price for those who would believe. It's a difficult concept, this bloody business. Sin has a price and it's a high one. Christ paid it for me...for you. 


*...but, emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:7-8

4. Life Beyond the Daily Grind - I have friends who believe in...nothing. NO heaven. NO hell. Death in this life ends their entire existences. Personally, I find that a little depressing. I mean, this, this life is...it? This is all? If this is it, then why do we continue? In Christ there is a greater life on earth, but more importantly there is a greater life YET to come. I find that beautiful and mysterious. 


*Truly, truly, I saw to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life and does not come into judgement, but has passed out of death into life John 5:24


5. He wins! - Say what you will, but there is evil afoot on this earth. And in some ways it may look as if that evil is winning and that God is dead, but it isn't so! This life is riddled with pain and suffering, but there are better things to come. Jesus wins in the end. Knowing the outcome of the war, sure makes the bumps and bruises of this world easier to deal with.


*These will wage war against the Lamb (Jesus), and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful Revelation 17:14


There you have it. Christ loves me, He changes me, He purchased me, He gives me a future and a hope, and in the end, HE WINS!


Happy Resurrection Day