Doing For Others

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Romans 5:6-8: For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Father's Day is coming up. It is the day that we set aside to honor our fathers for all the good that they do for us.

And that leads me to a question. What will, or did, your dad do for you? Some dads, especially in abusive environments are simply evil. That means that they have no connection to God and His grace and love. And they have no love for their children. Some dads are not overly demonstrative with affection. In my case, my dad was not affectionately demonstrative. At the same time my dad would give to us children the shirt off his back. He would do anything and everything for us. Then we have dads who are both affectionately demonstrative and will give their children the shirt off their backs. In all of the above choices, is their one who would give the ultimate sacrifice of life for the benefit of life?

As God writes through St. Paul, it's rare. There are those select dads who have given their lives for the sake of their families' lives. It does happen. Yet, do you know what's even greater? Our heavenly dad giving up EVERYTHING for His children. Our Father gave up His Son, Jesus our Savior and brother, so that we will be saved from ourselves. Jesus died for stubborn, rebellious, and obstinate children. Jesus died for us who would rather focus on stuff that we want and not give God a moment's notice. Jesus died for sinners, like you and me, and gave the ultimate sacrifice to save us from sin, death, hell, and the influence of Satan. Then Jesus rose and gave to us a brand new life both now and forever so that we live as forgiven and redeemed people of God. This is what our heavenly Father did for us. Thank You, Father, for Jesus' sacrifice and forgiveness. And all God's children say...