Our Constant Star: Day 21

Read & Journal

Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. Dig a little deeper into what you’ve read with these questions: 

• What does this passage teach you about Jesus? List anything new you learn in your journal. 

• What do these verses teach you about why Jesus came? 

• Why is that important? Explain.

• What does this passage teach you about yourself and what you’re called to do? 

• Think about the word reconciled and what you’ve learned about its meaning this week. What does it mean that you have been given the task of reconciling others to Jesus? 

• Who in your life needs to hear about the hope we have in Jesus? Pray for each person the Holy Spirit brings to mind, asking for opportunities to share your hope with them. 

• How will you strive to live in relationship with these people so that they begin to see the difference Jesus makes in your life? When given the opportunity, what steps will you take to share your hope with them? 

Ponder

I’m a doer by nature. I’m pretty sure I’m known around the office for my “get-it-done” attitude, and, as you’ve probably already guessed, checklists play a big role in my life. Case and point: It’s a Saturday afternoon as I’m writing this devotion—and, yes, I have a checklist for my Saturday activities—and as soon as this devotion is complete, I’ll make a checkmark on that list. 

As a doer, I appreciate clear expectations and goals, so it should come as no surprise that when I read Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers in today’s Scripture passage, I’m grateful for the clear call he gives to believers. “You have a job to do,” he seems to be saying. “Jesus has made your relationship right with God. Now, make sure other people know about what Jesus can do!” 

We may think the church is about building up believers or creating community—and it is!—but the primary work of the church and the individual Christians who comprise it is to make the gospel known. Our job is to introduce people to Jesus, so that they might live with the Father for all eternity. Our commission is to invite more people into the family. The world is drowning in sin, and we know the Rescuer. In the darkness of sin, we can point them to the Light of the world. 

Your life, like mine, is far from perfect. I sin, I say the wrong things, I choose to worry about things God instructs me to trust him with. But as a follower of Christ, I have a job to do. I get to tell the world that there’s eternal hope found only in Jesus Christ. 

That Jesus left the Father’s throne to rescue us from sin. 

That through his sinless life, death and resurrection, he has washed our guilt away.

That we can sing a glad new song this Advent season as we honor and celebrate the birth of Christ our King!