#1: God loves you. This might be the most important thing you'll ever learn. It will change the way you look at everything – even yourself. “For God so loved the world…” should fill us with a sense of worth. You were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26, 27) and, as a Christian, you are remade in the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
#2: Christ died for you. You have a problem. I have a problem. In fact, all of humanity has a problem — and that problem is sin. And sin has only one solution – Jesus Christ. This fact is at the very foundation of the gospel, “…Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). Note the progression of these verses: Christ gave himself a ransom “for all” (1 Timothy 2:6); he gave himself “for us” (Titus 2:14); and, he gave himself “for me” (Galatians 2:20). Keeping this in mind fills us with hope (1 Timothy 1:1).
#3: You are accountable. The fact that God loves you and that Jesus died for you does not let you off the hook. You must respond to what God has done. First, by obeying the gospel and then by living a faithful Christian life. Truly, knowing this should help us realize our great responsibility to God. Like the servants in Jesus’ parable, we will give account to him (Matthew 25:14-30).
#4: You can make a difference. It is what the people of God do (Jude 22). When we remember this, we approach everything and everyone with a sense of purpose. Whether it is a physical difficulty (Luke 10:25-37) or a spiritual fault (James 5:19-20), we want to make a difference for good in the lives of those around us.
#5: This could be your last day. We see it all around us – it affects young as well as old. We will not live on this earth forever. This should fill us with a sense of urgency. Do that good deed now – while you can. Share the gospel with a lost soul today – while you can. Be faithful to God today for truly, tomorrow may be too late.
Thomas Larkin
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