The One True Hero

Our world loves heroes.  All of the great stories from our culture are about individuals who stand up and make a difference against all odds.  When things are difficult around us, we innately long for someone who can make things right or we wonder if we might actually have what it takes to be the hero of our own story.

However, no matter how great of a hero enters the scene, the relief that he or she bring is only temporary.  The evil is defeated for today but new evil will arise tomorrow.  That is why the Greatest Story Ever Told is a story about someone who defeated evil for good.  Jesus Christ is unlike any hero before or after Him.  He was perfect and righteous.  His selfless and sacrificial actions won the permanent victory over death and Satan.  He is the one that we have been waiting for and the Savior of our souls.  He is worthy of our worship and our praise.  He is the one true Hero.  If we believe in Him, then we receive the benefits of His actions.  To receive His grace and life we have to admit that we are not the heroes but that He is.

Here for a Reason

We live in a world where there is trouble, darkness and violence.  Many of us respond to it by complaining and living in frustration and fear.  Some of us ignore it and live our lives in isolation and denial.  But there is another way.  We can recognize that God is in control and that justice is His character.  We can live with hope and courage knowing that He will ultimately right the wrongs in this world.  We can be examples and representatives of Christ’s love and multiply ourselves by helping others become people of God as well. The picture is not bleak!  God is in control.  He has created you and I to be His lights in this world and to live intentionally and vibrantly so that this dark world actually changes.  This is why we are here.  Are we doing it?  Are we living lives of light and changing the darkness?

Unearned Riches

What if your bank account suddenly increased by $100,000?  You would probably be very happy but you would also wonder what happened.  If it turned out that someone had anonymously deposited the money into your account as a gift, how would you feel?  Probably pretty grateful and fortunate.  Would you use the money any differently knowing that you hadn’t earned it?  Maybe you would be more generous realizing that the money was never yours to begin with.  Or on the other hand, you might feel afraid to use it worrying that the person who gave it might take it back.  Or you might spend it all right away just because you can!

In Romans 4:5, it says “To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”  That means that when we put our faith in Christ, He credits our “account” with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  If we believe in Him, then when God looks at us, instead of seeing the paltry balance of our poor lives He sees the abundant goodness of the works of Christ.  It is not because of what we have done but because of what He has done.  We have unearned riches in our spiritual bank account!  What are we doing with them?