Giving Thanks, Part One
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Saving Private Sinner
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 nasbu
A Christian's thanksgiving to God is based on the simple, yet earth-shattering fact that someone he didn't know at the time willingly gave His life that he might live. Two thousand years ago a total stranger (to today's believer) willingly suffered a horrible, agonizing, bloody death so that he--and countless millions like him--would be safely removed from the war with sin and its inevitable consequence. God's word calls it being saved "by grace":But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:4-8 nasbu
In Saving Private Ryan, the elder Ryan is tormented by the thought that he may not have lived a good enough life to merit the grace of his saviors. To Miller's grave he says, "I've tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that at least in your eyes I've earned what all of you have done for me." Turning to his wife, he pleads, "Tell me I've led a good life. Tell me I'm a good man." God's grace does not ask a man to earn his salvation. God knew going in that no man or woman would ever merit their eternal salvation. Yet He did it anyway: He died on the cross for the sins of every person who would look up from themselves, up toward a blood-stained cross, and believe. Real grace is that which is bestowed upon someone who does not deserve it. Let every day be Thanksgiving Day for the believer saved by grace. Let every new day begin with unbridled praise to a God who so generously, and unselfishly, sacrificed Himself for those who would be unable to save themselves.For I will not trust in my bow,
Nor will my sword save me.
But You have saved us from our adversaries,
And You have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted all day long,
And we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah.
Psalm 44:6-8 nasbu