HE DOESN’T RAISE THE BAR! HE IS THE BAR!

Romans 3:21-29 & Romans 6:23

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203%3A21-29%2CRomans%206%3A23&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

There’s a series of recent Ford F150 commercials that sells the popular pickup truck in very clever and creative ways.

         One talks about how the F150 re-writes the “Truck Laws” for pickup trucks because of how many different ways you can use it.

         Another speaks metaphorically. As the screen flashes back and forth between NFL football and your F150, it suggests that you’re the quarterback and your truck is your offensive line.

         The third one praises the F150 for being “Brainiac Smart” because of all the protective sensors it has.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2018+Ford+F150+commercials
 

Each one of these commercials finishes with the narrator powerfully saying, “THIS IS THE NEW 2018 FORD F150! IT DOESN’T JUST RAISE THE BAR PAL! IT IS THE BAR!” In 30 seconds you have been convinced that Ford F150 “Is the bar” for other trucks to reach.

 

Paul was trying to sell something to his peers by setting the bar. The Jewish culture of his day, set the bar of righteousness by focusing on the Law. Even Paul, before his conversion, had bought into this belief. However, he changed dramatically.

 

²¹ But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping

the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. ²² We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.                   NLT

 

This statement must have rankled the Jewish religious establishment who firmly believed in living by the Law to attain righteousness. The idea that all you had to do was believe in Jesus must have been heretical.

 

In fact, it was more than that. It was a statement of freedom. Freedom from the rules of man born out of pride. Pride that said, “Look at what I did”. Pride that believed in self-righteousness, not God-righteousness. With pride, we don’t need God.

 

²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (The bar.) ²⁴ Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.           NLT

 

In other words…

JESUS DOESN’T JUST RAISE THE BAR PAL! HE IS THE BAR!

 

 

 

 

 

Your Best Gift Ever

(Love: The 4^th and final devotional on Advent.)
 

1 John 4:7-12
(Use the link below to read the verses.)

 

 

What was your best Christmas gift ever?

 

For me it was a Ford F150 pick-up truck! Never thinking that my wife would actually do it, I had been bugging Debbie either for a pickup truck, or a Mazda Miata. Low and behold, there was a full sized F150 parked in our driveway that Christmas morning with a bow on it.

 

For Debbie, her best Christmas gift ever was a diamond ring. Originally it had been her Step Mom’s engagement ring. When she passed, her Father had it made into a man’s ring. Following his passing, it sat in our lock box for years until I took the diamond and had a ring designed especially for Debbie’s Christmas.

 

Gifts are an important part of how we celebrate Christmas. Whether it’s as big as a truck, or as small as a ring, giving gifts to those we love, to show our love, can be very meaningful.

 

The original gifts of Christmas - Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – were given in love to the child Jesus; the son of God; the creator of love.

 

^8b…for God is love.  ⁹ God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰ This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.    NLT

 

Over 2000 years ago, God sent you and me the best gift ever! It’s better than a Ford F150, or even an irreplaceable family heirloom. The baby Jesus grew into a man who gave his life so that you and I might live ours. He promised an abundant life on earth, and life without end in the presence of our loving Heavenly Father.

 

He is your best gift ever!

 

 

 

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204%3A7-12&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

(If God has spoken to you through this devotional, please feel free to share it with others.)

 

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