The Ultimate Sacrifice - April 2015



His Banner – April 2015

Connie’s Corner
The Ultimate Sacrifice
By Connie Hawkins

The season of Lent followed by Easter is a time to remind us of the ultimate sacrifice –Jesus’ death on the cross. Romans 5:8 says “God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.”  There are four different types of love spoken about in the Bible. one of which is Agape love.  Agape is defined as selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love – the highest form of love.  This Greek word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament.  Agape love perfectly describes the kind of love Jesus has for his Father and for his followers. “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me.  The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21, NIV)
It amazes me when I look at the shape our world is in that God still loves mankind. No matter what man does, God is forgiving of our sin nature.  In the Catholic Church, and most reformed and protestant traditions, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.  No matter what denomination you are, Easter is one of the most important dates of the Easter season in Western Christianity as well as Orthodox traditions.  Still, in my mind, the perfect time to reflect on that ultimate sacrifice Christ made for mankind.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March Into Victory - March 2017

His Banner March 2017 March into Victory By Connie Hawkins I like March because it means that spring isn’t far off.   But more than the month of March, I like the word, ‘March’ and all that it can mean.   We were not created to live a life depressed, condemned or ashamed.   We are children of the King not to be defeated by guilt, shame, or remorse.   We are worthy and precious in God’s sight. And because we are His children, we can march into victory! We can march up to the things in our lives that are holding us back, pressing us down and kicked them out of our lives for good.   We can march to a new song, one of joy. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.      If you persevere and keep the faith, He will help you to march into victory!
Read more

Yearning

His Banner May 2019 Yearning for Spring By Connie Hawkins It was a very long, cold and snowy winter.   I am glad that sidewalks coated with ice and dingy leftover snow piled beside the road is over.     I was already longing for spring the end of February.   I had had enough winter to last me a lifetime! I was ready for a change. There’s something about a change of season that builds excitement in all of us.  My mother used to say of spring, “it’s a new beginning”. But new beginnings don’t just happen with the seasons. They’re also part of our faith and our lives. God says it best in His Word: 1) 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2)  Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even ma...
Read more

Christmas

Christmas isn’t about tinsel, twinkling lights on a tree, shopping, baking cookies, eating those cookies…it’s more about the presence of family sharing the love of Christ with the world.   Here’s what some pretty famous people have to say about Christmas: Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving. – B. C. Forbes He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. – Roy L. Smith Christmas is the season of joy, of holiday greetings exchanged, of gift-giving, and of families united. – Norman Vincent Peale The only blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart. – Helen Keller Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling. – Edna Ferber God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it. – Pope Francis Christmas, ...
Read more