Through the Eyes of Others

3/20/2014
Dear City Calvary,

Do we really appreciate what we have?  Really?  I have been to Myanmar several times.  On many occasions, I have asked different people - if they could visit any country in the world, where would they want to go and why.  The vast majority of the individuals I spoke with responded to both questions with the exact same answers.  As to "where", there was little surprise as most wanted to visit the United States of America.  Their answer to the "why" question; however, was less expected.  They weren't longing to go to Disneyland, the Statue of Liberty, Knott's Berry Farm, or Mt. Rushmore.  They don't care about Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, or the Grand Tetons.  They want to visit our country because they want to see firsthand what real freedom and true justice, for everyone, look like.  They want to experience the peace of walking down the street, without fear of being arrested (or worse) by a corrupt military or police force, led by a group of violent and tyrannical generals.  In other words, their dream vacation is to experience your everyday life, what you and I enjoy every single day -freedom and peace.  Truthfully, most of us Americans take this for granted and don't give it much thought.  That is why it's helpful to see our freedom through the eyes of someone else - to remind us of the enormous privilege we have living in this country.

The point of this letter is not to relish in the benefits of living in the USA but rather to remind us of the wonder of our salvation, as we look at it through the eyes of others, to help us appreciate how incredibly - wonderfully - powerfully blessed we truly are.  That is what 1 Peter 1:3-12 does for us.  In verse 10- 12, Peter writes "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care... It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you"  Those Old Testament prophets wanted most desperately to understand and experience something that we know clearly and have firmly - grace and the relationship we have with God through Jesus because of it.  They knew God was going to do something special but they didn't know what.  They searched and searched but were told it wasn't for them - but for YOU AND ME.  WOW!!!  Do you feel privileged yet?  It doesn't just stop with the Old Testament prophets either.  Verse 12 says "Even the angels long to look into these things."  Even the angels are amazed about what you and I enjoy 24 hours a day.  What a privilege place we are in!  Thanks to the OT prophets and the angels for reminding us of the incredible value of our salvation.   

This is something we will talk about on Sunday.  Last week we looked at the living hope we have in Jesus and the inheritance kept in heaven - safe, sound, and secure - for you and me.  Praise The Lord for that.  Be sure to read through 1 Peter 1:3-12 to prepare for our study on Sunday.  Be sure to invite a friend to church, preferably someone who needs to learn about or be reminded of this wonderful, beautiful, glorious, gracious salvation given to those who believe in Jesus by our dear Lord and Savior.

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor John