This morning’s staff devotion was such a huge encouragement to me. We were reminded that God is still who He says He is. God is still our refuge, strength, helper, protector and provider. God is still loving, forgiving, encouraging, and sustaining. But I think we often forget that God is still jealous, just, holy and perfect. The God of the New Testament is not a different God than the God of the Old Testament. God’s holy standard still needs to be met, and we still fall short of it and always will.<\/p>\n
Human solutions will never fulfill God’s promises. But praise God for the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, that is the only thing that could have paid the price for our sin. God’s standard can only be met by Himself, so Jesus being fully God and dying paid the price that God demanded, and Jesus being fully human, yet without sin, lets Him offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice that God’s standard demands. What an incredible plan! As Pastor Wade said yesterday (and you brought it<\/strong>, by the way!), “It was a scandal.” I couldn’t help having a song by one of my favorite bands, “The Choir”<\/a> running through my head:<\/p>\n Go on up to the mountain of mercy Follow Christ to the holy mountain At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree On the hillside you will be delivered At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree<\/p>\n Go on up to the mountain of mercy At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree Miraculous night<\/p><\/blockquote>\n What we have to remember though, is that even though Jesus paid the price that was demanded, and we are forgiven and set free, God is still God and still demands for us to live for Him. Let’s give our lives in response to His grace, and live with obedience this week.<\/p>\n
\nTo the crimson perpetual tide
\nKneel down on the shore
\nBe thirsty no more
\nGo under and be purified<\/p>\n
\nSinner, sorry and wrecked by the fall
\nCleanse your heart and your soul
\nIn the fountain that flows
\nFor you and for me and for all<\/p>\n
\nOn that beautiful scandalous night you and me
\nWere atoned by His blood and forever washed white
\nOn that beautiful scandalous night<\/p>\n
\nAt the foot of the cross justified
\nAnd your spirit restored
\nBy the river that pours
\nFrom our blessed Savior’s side<\/p>\n
\nTo the crimson perpetual tide
\nKneel down on the shore be thirsty no more
\nGo under and be purified<\/p>\n
\nOn that beautiful scandalous night you and me
\nWere atoned by his blood and forever washed white
\nOn that beautiful scandalous night<\/p>\n