Fidèle jusqu’à la mort (2)

La Loi a été donnée par Moïse ; la grâce et la vérité sont venues par Jésus Christ. Jean 1. 17

Voici quelques-uns des thèmes du livre de Patrick Hamilton, brûlé vif à cause de sa fidélité à la Bible :

La Loi nous montre nos fautes.
- L’Évangile nous donne le remède.

La Loi nous annonce le jugement.
- L’Évangile, le salut.

La Loi est la parole de la colère de Dieu.
- L’Évangile, la parole de la grâce de Dieu.

La Loi nous amène au désespoir.
- L’Évangile nous donne la liberté.

Dialogue entre la Loi et l’Évangile :
La Loi dit : Paie ce que tu dois.

- L’Évangile annonce : Christ a payé pour toi.

La Loi nous interpelle : Tu es un misérable pécheur, et tu mourras.

- L’Évangile déclare : Tes péchés sont pardonnés ; tu seras sauvé.

La Loi enseigne : Tu dois faire réparation pour tes péchés.

- L’Évangile déclare : Christ a pris sur lui le châtiment que tu méritais.

La Loi dit : La colère de Dieu pèse sur toi.

- L’Évangile enseigne : Christ t’a réconcilié avec Dieu par son sang.

La Loi demande : Où est ta justice, où sont tes bonnes oeuvres, où est le paiement que tu peux donner à Dieu ?

- L’Évangile répond : Christ a payé pour toi, il est ta justice, ton salut, il te donne la vie éternelle.

(fin)

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The True Nature of Love

They gave as much as they were able. 2 Corinthians 8:3

Loving God, You are so good. Please give me opportunities to bless others for You in Your power and wisdom.

Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 Corinthians 8:1–9

During the pandemic lockdown, Jerry was forced to close his fitness center and had no income for months. One day he received a text from a friend asking to meet him at his facility at 6:00 p.m. Jerry wasn’t sure why but made his way there. Soon cars started streaming into the parking lot. The driver in the first car placed a basket on the sidewalk near the building. Then car after car (maybe fifty of them) came by.

Those inside waved at Jerry or hollered out a hello, stopped at the basket, and dropped in a card or cash. Some sacrificed their money; all gave their time to encourage him.

The true nature of love is sacrificial, according to the apostle Paul. He explained to the Corinthians that the Macedonians gave “even beyond their ability” so they could meet the needs of the apostles and others (2 Corinthians 8:3). They even “pleaded” with Paul for the opportunity to give to them and to God’s people. The basis for their giving was the sacrificial heart of Jesus Himself. He left the riches of heaven to come to earth to be a servant and to give His very life. “Though he was rich, yet for [our] sake he became poor” (v. 9).

May we too plead with God so that we might “excel in this grace of giving” (v. 7) in order to lovingly meet the needs of others. 

By:  Anne Cetas

Reflect & Pray
How might sacrificial service or giving fit into your life this week? Who needs your encouragement?