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Christ Jesus Made You His Own {No Matter What Monday}

February 26, 2018 by Marissa Leave a Comment

This week I’m taking my oldest child, who just turned 14, to test for his driving permit. (Pray for me!) To receive his permit, we need to take my driver’s license, to prove that I’m an Arkansas resident, and my child’s birth certificate, to prove that he belongs to me.

Because he’s my child, my son has certain privileges and also responsibilities. He doesn’t get food, clothing, shelter, and love because he’s earned them, and he doesn’t finish his chores each week to secure his status as our child. But rather, he receives privileges and has responsibilities because he’s our child.

I couldn’t deny my son even if I wanted to—the state of Indiana made it official in 2004 when they put my name on his birth certificate. In the coming years, there might be days when he ignores me, questions my goodness to him, or strays from my instructions. But nothing will change the fact that he belongs to me.

In Philippians 3, Paul makes this beautiful statement as he discusses his striving in the Christian life:

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12)

The gifts we receive from Christ and our obedience to Christ both flow from what Christ has done for us—He’s made us His own. Paul revels in his status as God’s child, not because of a righteousness of his own, but because of a righteousness from God through faith (Phil. 3:9). He knows he isn’t perfect, but he’s secure in the perfection of Christ.

Because of this solid standing before God, Paul is pressing on in his faith (Phil. 3:13-14). We don’t chase after holiness as a way of proving ourselves to God. We pursue righteousness because the Righteous One has pursued and taken hold of us.

I hope this brings you comfort today, friend. Whether you’re struggling through suffering or wrestling with sin, remember that Christ Jesus died to make you His own. You can rest securely in His love for you.

No matter what you face this week, Christ Jesus has made you His own.

The Greater One {No Matter What Monday}

October 23, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Have you ever seen the Who Would Win book series? These children’s books depict a hypothetical battle between two animals and predict the outcome. Could a giant squid defeat a whale? What if a tiger and a lion dueled to the death? What about a tarantula vs. a scorpion? That’s a match I hope I never have to see!

Some days, the world around us might make us wonder, “Who’s gonna win? Will God really come out on top here, or are the forces of evil too great?” It seems like sin, wickedness, and death are winning. We watch violence rage around the world, disease threaten those we love, and sin rips families apart.

The Bible is the ultimate Who Would Win book, and the outcome is not hypothetical. Spoiler alert: Jesus wins. And because we are united to Him by faith, His victory is our victory.

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

He who is in you (God the Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world (the devil and the forces of evil). God’s victory has already taken place. Jesus Christ sits at the Father’s right hand and reigns over all powers and dominions (Eph. 1:19-21). His Spirit dwells in us, reminding us to not lose heart because glory is coming (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

If your heart is discouraged today, remember that the One who loves you and gave Himself for you is the same One who has overcome the world. The middle of your story might be messy and hard, but you know how this one ends.

And as you wade through the muck of sin, evil, and life in this fallen world, the One who is in you – the One who will never leave you or forsake you – is greater than your most threatening enemy. You have overcome, because He has overcome.

No matter what you face this week, He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

You’ve Been Redeemed {No Matter What Monday}

October 2, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

A few years ago, someone broke into my parents’ house while they were at work. The thief couldn’t carry much on his way out of the small bathroom window, so the most valuable item he stole was their iPad. Weeks later, the iPad turned up at a local pawn shop.

You’d think that if something was stolen from you and later found, it would be returned to you free of charge. But my dad actually had to go to the pawn shop and buy back his own iPad.

It reminds me of what God has done with us. We are His treasured possession, but we allowed ourselves to be led away from Him by our sin. Because we are precious to Him, God sent His Son to buy us back.

Ephesians 1:7: In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

We can’t redeem ourselves. If we go back to my stolen iPad analogy, the iPad didn’t pay the pawn shop for its freedom. The iPad couldn’t pay its own way. Likewise, we are unable to redeem ourselves—we need a Redeemer who can pay the debt we owe.

In Christ, we have redemption. According to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, redeem means “to buy back” or “to free from captivity by the payment of a ransom.” On the cross, Jesus paid the ransom to buy us back and free us from slavery to our sin.

Our redemption flows from the riches of God’s grace. Because God is rich in grace and mercy, He can pay the price to redeem us. He can forgive all our sins. He’s not just merciful—He’s rich in mercy. And since we are His children, we benefit from His riches.

No matter what you face this week, you have been redeemed by Jesus Christ because of the riches of God’s grace.

Your Debt is Fully Paid {No Matter What Monday}

June 12, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

It’s happened to me twice now, and each time was surprising and impactful.

I’ve pulled up to the Starbucks window and found out that my (grande, non-fat, one-pump-caramel) latte was paid for by the driver in front of me. It feels strange to receive my drink without giving anything to the cashier. I accept the gift of a free latte because someone I don’t know paid the debt I owed.

It’s a beautiful picture of the Gospel. Romans 8:1 tells us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Condemnation is not a word we like to discuss. But God’s Word is clear that we are all sinners, and our sin deserves God’s punishment.

So how can Romans 8:1 say there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? Has God decided to look the other way? Did He change His mind about sin? Is He just being nice?

There is now no condemnation because Someone else paid for our sin.

On the cross, Jesus took the punishment our sin deserved. God is fully satisfied with Jesus’s sacrifice and will not demand payment from those who are in Christ. Our debt has been paid. We freely receive the gift of God’s grace.

As we drink deeply of His grace, we are set free from trying to convince God and others that we’re good enough. We don’t have to keep looking around, hoping to be a little better than the next guy. We don’t have to keep striving, hoping the good works will outnumber the bad.

When Jesus took your punishment, He gave you His perfect, sinless record. If you are in Christ, when God looks at your life, He sees what Christ has done. You can walk in the joy and freedom of God’s grace.

No matter what you face this week, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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