because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9, ESV
Our God came to us to give us His love, grace, and forgiveness. If we truly believe this and confess Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are granted this salvation from God’s wrath against our sin.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10, ESV
People strive for a fountain of youth or some ways to prolong life, but it is only by the name of Jesus our Lord that we can find eternal life and forgiveness and everlasting love.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
John 20:15-16, ESV
Circumstances in life can make us miss the truth right in front of our own faces.
Don’t let grief, self-righteousness, pain, or good things blind you to the crucified and risen Christ who calls us by name.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 1:8, 22:12-13 ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus is the Eternal Son of God who was with the Father “before” Creation, through whom all things were created.
We rebelled against our Creator, thinking we could be like Him or had no need for Him.
Yet, God came to us, paying for our sins while reserving wrath for those who refuse to believe.
And Jesus is coming again.
He came as a baby, becoming like us to grow up and save us, and we remember this.
But we also remember that this Man is also our God – truly man and truly God at once and completely.
He died on a cross for us, but He arose again from the dead proving that this Jesus is our God of wrath and grace.
And He is returning soon in His wrath and grace to finally and completely fully redeem this world to Himself.
May we seek the Lord who has defeated sin and death, has saved us, and is coming back again in glory.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!