February 12th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Reflection
Go ahead and take it. Jesus gives it to you. He gives it to you out of great and deep love for you. Take it. Jesus became your sin out of love for you. Take this life. Take this salvation. To turn and leave would be eternal separation. Take it. It was offered for you on the altar of the cross. It cost blood, suffering and separation. Take it. Take it now. You need it. You can't do anything yourself to get what Jesus offers... take it and receive it. Take it in and be blessed with eternal life with God. Yes, turn to God, repent and take this life, this body, this blood. Take and eat. Take and drink. It's for you.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, at a great price you came into this world and into my life and the lives of all to save us from sin. To you alone belongs all praise and glory for such a gift. I live in eternal thanks for what you have done... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen