An anecdote from the early 1900s beautifully illustrates how Christians ought to be grateful for what Christ has done for them. While on a three-story scaffold at a construction site one day, a building engineer tripped and fell toward the ground in what appeared to be a fatal plummet. Right below the scaffold, a laborer looked up just as the man fell, realized he was standing exactly where the engineer would land, braced himself, and absorbed the full impact of the other man’s fall. The impact slightly injured the engineer but severely hurt the laborer. The brutal collision fractured almost every bone in his body, and after he recovered from those injuries, he was severely disabled.
Years later, a reporter asked the former construction laborer how the engineer had treated him since the accident. The handicapped man told the reporter: “He gave me half of all he owns, including a share of his business. He is constantly concerned about my needs and never lets me want for anything. Almost every day he gives me some token of thanks or remembrance.” Found MacArthur, J. (2004). 1 Peter (87–88). Chicago: Moody Publishers.
Too often we who have been rescued from sin and the just wrath of God against such sin fail to live a life of gratitude. Every believer ought to be overwhelmed every day with thanksgiving to God for sending His Son Jesus Christ to bear his or her sin. We were running straight to hell and we could do nothing to save ourselves. But God, in his great mercy and love, sent His Son to be the Substitute. He died in our place for our sins that we might live in the presence of God forever and ever! Because of His death in our place we have been justified before God, redeemed from our slavery to sin, and will one day be glorified and live with God. The penalty for our sin is death but we live in Christ today who died and gave himself for us! Amazing love.
This was part of my sermon on “Gospel-Powered Love” (PDF or MP3) from June 24, 2012.
