February 2011 – Page 2 – Memos from God

Second chances. Mulligans. Do-overs. Don’t we all appreciate another opportunity to get things right? When Adam bit into that apple, and sin entered the world, we were sentenced to live in a world outside of God’s favour. (Genesis 3:17-19) Thankfully through Christ we have a second chance. (John 3:16)

II Corinthians 5:16-17 tells us that when we accept Christ we become a new creation. That doesn’t mean that we suddenly become perfect; it means that we have a new position as children of God. We still have to work on all the old issues in our lives, but God is a god of second chances. He forgives us for the things that we haven’t got right yet, and He is working on us, helping us to become more like Christ.

Verse 17 is a general view of what verse 16 tells us more specifically. Just as we have become a new creation, when we are in Christ we no longer see people according to their human qualities—race, gender, nationality, etc. Now we see them as we are, a person for whom Christ gave His life. God gives us the grace to see that person with spiritual eyes.

Before Paul met Christ (and his name was still Saul), he judged Christ on what he had heard about Him. He saw Christ as a contradiction of all the religious laws that he followed so strictly. Then Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus, (Acts 9:1-22) and his views changed. He began to see Christ, and subsequently humans, whether Jews or Gentiles, differently.

The world judges you based on your past. God judges you based on your future. The world judges you based on what you have done. God judges you based on what you can, and what He knows you will, become. Let’s do our best to see others through God’s eyes.

Do you believe in miracles? Do you think that Christ still performs miracles today? In Matthew 8-9, we read the accounts of several of Christ’s miracles. Matthew 9:23-26 tells us of the raising of the synagogue ruler’s daughter.

When Jesus arrived at the ruler’s house, there were already mourners wailing and lamenting. It was customary to hire mourners for this purpose to help express the grief of the family. The fact that they were already there meant that they had no doubt that the girl was dead. When Jesus said that she was only sleeping, they mocked Him. These people knew Christ, knew His character and had already witnessed other miracles He had done. Surely, if He said that the child was asleep, they should consider it a possibility. Yet, they were so certain of her death, they thought His statement was ridiculous. Christ, however, had a different perspective on the matter. He knew that He was going to wake the girl up.

Before performing this miracle, Christ sent all the mourners and onlookers away. Only her parents, and a few disciples remained with Him to witness her resurrection. This meant that believing that the girl was raised from death would become a matter of faith for everyone who did not witness it, and perhaps even for those who did. Had she really been just sleeping?

I don’t know about you, but I like to have things explained and know the details of how things work. In this case, like many others, Christ didn’t allow the details to all be known. He left some things a mystery. That is still often the case today. Either we can’t understand the explanation, or there is some possible explanation other than a miracle from God. Those who choose not to believe in God, can find another way to rationalize what has happened, but those who do believe must often exercise their faith to do so. Jesus said, “Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Since Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), we know that He can still perform miracles. He is able to meet every need, but He cares more about your salvation than your comfort. He wants you to rely on Him. (Matthew 11:28) Seek Him first, and He will take care of the rest. (Matthew 6:33)