December 13, 2022 -- II Corinthians 13:14 -- Journey to Christmas carried by love, grace and comfort

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
II Corinthians 13:14 ESV

Remember the journey to Christmas through Proverbs and Luke. Read a chapter of each of these books daily and you’ll have completed Luke on Dec. 24th and Proverbs on the last day of December. These books show how the practical life (Proverbs) is imbued with the beautiful work of Jesus Christ (Luke).

While traveling to and from one of the prisons yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to Ian Hamilton speak about communion with God. He made extensive use of John Owen’s theological work. He quoted many passages from Owen, but this one stood out to me: “Assure yourself, there is nothing more acceptable unto the Father than for us to keep up our hearts unto Him as the eternal fountain of all that rich grace which flows out to sinners in the blood of Jesus.”

The point is this: believers are invited to meditate on God the Triune. Think about this. The Father’s love is an eternal fountain, a sweetness of refreshing love given to the believer. From before the foundations of world the Father chose to love you. Think about that. Do not be discouraged by your own waywardness and sinfulness, know the Father has set His love on You. Proof of His love is proclaimed to all the world at the cross of Jesus.

Jesus is the source of every grace in your life. Exactly as the blessing quoted II Corinthians declares it. Jesus mediates the love of God to the people of God. He does not earn you the Father’s love; no, that is a misconception. You were already loved by the Father, the work of the Son reveals this with such clarity. You are graced by the Father’s love in the work of the Son. The Spirit then gives you all comfort. As you reflect on the Father’s love and the grace given in Jesus Christ you are comforted in God’s goodness. Such meditations make you rise up and worship Him and serve Him with all you have and all you are because this fountain of the Father’s love communicates such sweetness to every part of your life.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the rich fountain of Your love which is continually poured out in Your great faithfulness. Jesus, praise and honour belong to You. Thank You for the vast quantities of Your grace which is given to all believers assuring people of the Father's eternal love. Spirit of the Living God, great and blessed are You, beyond all telling or explanation. Thank You for the profound comfort with which You drench believers so that every step of life in Christ is suffused with the fragrance of the gift of Jesus and resplendent with the love of the Father--the fountainhead of such goodness. Amen.

https://youtu.be/chLMSiozhL8

Wheaton College “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

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