Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Our Father who art in heaven
How great is the love the Father has lavished
on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The
reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.1John
3:1
Despite
all our iniquity, our selfishness and sinfulness, God has called us His own
children through the waters of Baptism. This love God has lavished on us is
unique because it is not what our corrupted, sinful nature deserves; it is not
what our thoughts, words, and deeds have earned. Believers are not just “named”
children of God, but are actually reborn as His children, are actually
“fathered” by God. This is no metaphor, for a new being is created. (2
Corinthians 5:17) God promises that He has made us His children. Despite the
lies, deceptions and partial truths of the world, God never lied to us, as He
has never failed to what He has promised. You can count on Him. Believers, the
children of God, possess eternal life new in time. Yet the corruption of our
sin hides the glory that is already present in us. Although the world cannot
see the glory of God in His children, the world does not encounter the
different lifestyles of believers. Often, the world hates believers. This
hatred arises from the fact that a good life, when encountered, will always
draw a comparison or judgment, confronting the world with how far it has fallen
short.[1]
We
live in a broken world. Outside of Eden. Because of Adam’s fall, we receive
Adam’s curse, for we are children of Adam and his decedents. “Cursed is the ground because of you…for you
are dust and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:16b, 19b) But we also
look for that restoration which comes from a Savior. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, ands between your
offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise
his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) That is why we call this day Ash Wednesday.
As
we meditate on the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer may we daily approach our
merciful Father, seeking His mercy, for a new life, which comes from the Ashes
of repentance.
The Lenten season is upon us once again, O
Lord God, and we come to You with the sign of ashes, and the sign of what we
are and what we have been. With repentant hearts, we come to You, begging You
for forgiveness and life.[2]
Almighty God, you
have created me out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to
me a sign of my mortality and penitence that I may remember that it is only by
your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ my
Savior. Amen[3]
Savior, the season of Lent is upon us. You
have directed us to come imploring- crying out in Your Father’s name. As we
have experienced the Father’s mercy and love, which You earned for us, may we
demonstrate this same mercy with others especially those who do not yet know
You for You demand both mercy as well as sacrifice from those who would bear
Your name.[4]
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