Romans 5:9-11
At a very young age my parents introduced me to archery. Both shot in archery leagues and really enjoyed the challenge. During many summers and falls I would be outside practicing, trying to hone my skills. After a lot of practice, I started hitting the bullseye often. That drove me to practice harder, trying to be perfect on every shot. I was starting to get really consistent then suddenly, I got worse. I just couldn't hit the bullseye. Frustrated, I told my dad and he said, “You have target panic.” Target panic is the anxiety an archer feels when the sight approaches the bullseye. This panic can cause a flinch or early release of the arrow causing the errant shot. We can have “target panic” when it comes to our walk with God. Let’s look at the depth of God’s love towards me in sending His Son to die in my place. In examining this, it may expose areas in my life that I am unwilling to hit God’s bullseye (God’s standard).
Verse 10 - “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” We were enemies of God but were reconciled to God through the work of Jesus on the cross. Reconciliation simply means: the restoration of friendship with the idea of altering the state of the relationship. Our restoration of friendship is to God, not God to us. Jesus’ sacrifice is the mechanism that enables our position as enemies of God to be restored (reconciled) and go from unsavable to savable. The sacrifice of Jesus is the payment (propitiation) needed to restore our relationship to God. God’s wrath is now turned aside, and He is now able to deal with my sin without infringing upon His holiness or justice. Belief in Jesus reconciles me to God and His hostility toward me as a rebellious sinner (enemy) is removed and friendship and fellowship follow.
When I realize the magnitude of what God has done and continues to do for me, it changes my lifestyle. This lifestyle now must become a “Gospel Centered” lifestyle that is actively trying to grow God’s Kingdom. This is where our spiritual “target panic” sometimes kicks in. I know God’s standard for my life and know that He wants me to share about His Son. This is when I will self-sabotage my opportunities to share the Gospel or do good works. I want to pursue my desires rather than God’s will for my life. As we move towards God’s bullseye for our life, we flinch and revert to old habits and sins. Spiritual target panic keeps from enjoying a full relationship with Jesus.
Take some time right now to think about the things that are distracting you from doing the things of God. Develop a simple way to tell others how Jesus has changed you. Tell them the impact Jesus has on your everyday life. Memorize a verse that impacts you to share when you share the Gospel. Pray for boldness and opportunity to share your faith in Jesus.
Verse 10 - “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” We were enemies of God but were reconciled to God through the work of Jesus on the cross. Reconciliation simply means: the restoration of friendship with the idea of altering the state of the relationship. Our restoration of friendship is to God, not God to us. Jesus’ sacrifice is the mechanism that enables our position as enemies of God to be restored (reconciled) and go from unsavable to savable. The sacrifice of Jesus is the payment (propitiation) needed to restore our relationship to God. God’s wrath is now turned aside, and He is now able to deal with my sin without infringing upon His holiness or justice. Belief in Jesus reconciles me to God and His hostility toward me as a rebellious sinner (enemy) is removed and friendship and fellowship follow.
When I realize the magnitude of what God has done and continues to do for me, it changes my lifestyle. This lifestyle now must become a “Gospel Centered” lifestyle that is actively trying to grow God’s Kingdom. This is where our spiritual “target panic” sometimes kicks in. I know God’s standard for my life and know that He wants me to share about His Son. This is when I will self-sabotage my opportunities to share the Gospel or do good works. I want to pursue my desires rather than God’s will for my life. As we move towards God’s bullseye for our life, we flinch and revert to old habits and sins. Spiritual target panic keeps from enjoying a full relationship with Jesus.
Take some time right now to think about the things that are distracting you from doing the things of God. Develop a simple way to tell others how Jesus has changed you. Tell them the impact Jesus has on your everyday life. Memorize a verse that impacts you to share when you share the Gospel. Pray for boldness and opportunity to share your faith in Jesus.
Posted in Devotional