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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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A
certain king was very rich. His power was known
throughout the world. But he was most unhappy, for he
desired a wife. Without a queen, the vast palace was
empty. One
day, while riding through the streets of a small
village, he saw a beautiful peasant girl. So lovely
was she that the heart of the king was won. He wanted
her more than anything he had ever desired. On
succeeding days, he would ride by her house on the
mere hope of seeing her for a moment in passing. He
wondered how he might win her love. He
thought, “I will draw up a royal decree... and
require her to be brought before me to become the
queen of my land.” But, as he considered, he
realized that she was a subject and would be forced to
obey. He could never be certain that he had won her
love. Then,
he said to himself, “I will call on her in person...
I will dress in my finest royal garb, wear my diamond
rings, my silver sword, my shiny black boots, and my
most colorful tunic. I will overwhelm her and sweep
her off her feet to become my bride.” But, as he
pondered the idea, he knew that he would always wonder
whether she had married him for the riches and power
he could give her. Then,
he decided to dress as a peasant... drive to the
town, and have his carriage let him off. In disguise,
he would approach her house. But, somehow the
dishonesty of this plan did not appeal to him.” At
last, he knew what he must do... He would shed his
royal robes! In
like manner, our Creator also considered how He might
win the hearts of humankind. And then at
just the right time, God [in Christ] robed Himself in
human flesh and became one of us,
taking upon Himself the very form of mortal man to
dwell among us (John 1:14).
Then, in the fullest demonstration of His great
love for us, He died on the cross for our sins, so
that we might be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:17-21). Through
Christ we can be reconciled to God when we respond to
Him: in faith
(Acts 16:30-31),
turning from our sins in repentance
(Acts
17:30-31), confessing
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized
in His name
for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).
His atoning death continues to cleanse us from
sin as we continue to walk in the light of His Word (1
John 1:7). Has
His love won YOUR
heart? Won’t
YOU respond in loving obedience to His will? David A. Sargent, Minister Church
of Christ at Creekwood * A parable by Soren Kierkegaard as quoted in James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 303. To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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