In my high school days, many perfect Saturday mornings were spent searching for lost treasures in thrift stores. My mate Evan and I would troll El Cajon op shops looking for quality vinyl records and sweet polyester shirts. It was the early 90's but we loved the music and clothes of the 70's! We would always hit the Salvation Army, then head over to AMVETS, and finally Goodwill. Goodwill Thrift Stores have an interesting history, dating back to 1902. Founded by Reverend Edgar J. Helms, the organisation helped people through donations and provided opportunities for people to work.
With the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ rapidly approaching, I was reminded today of what the heavenly host proclaimed to shepherds who tended their flocks that night long ago in Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" It is one thing for a man to have "goodwill" to his fellow man, but how wondrous and lovely it is for the Almighty God to proclaim peace and goodwill toward men. How utterly undeserving we are of such favour from God, that He will send His own Son to be the Saviour of the world. God is holy, and for Him to show mercy and kindness to us really is phenomenal. There is no good thing in man, but Jesus came to change that forever. When people have offended us we don't want to visit or have anything to do with them, but God demonstrated love in the profound act by becoming a man and walking among us sinners. God has His messengers, but He would deliver this message of love, grace, and salvation Himself.
How can we respond to so great a love, to such "peace, goodwill toward men?" It is reasonable for us each to acknowledge and receive it. Unless we acknowledge a gift is intended for us, we will not open or appropriate it. Having goodwill towards God and towards others is another fitting response. We can show gratitude to God with generosity towards others, being gracious and longsuffering to all. Jesus came with goodwill toward all people, not just a select few. The motto for the Goodwill Thrift Stores became, "Not a Charity - But a Chance." God's charity (love) is the only chance we sinners have for salvation, for it is impossible for us to earn the righteous standing before God required. Jesus came to this earth with His future death in mind, for it is written in Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." In dying for sin Jesus gave sinners a chance to obtain eternal life. There is no chance of salvation apart from Christ, for He is "The Way, the Truth, and the Life."
Glory to God in the highest for bringing peace and goodwill toward men!
With the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ rapidly approaching, I was reminded today of what the heavenly host proclaimed to shepherds who tended their flocks that night long ago in Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" It is one thing for a man to have "goodwill" to his fellow man, but how wondrous and lovely it is for the Almighty God to proclaim peace and goodwill toward men. How utterly undeserving we are of such favour from God, that He will send His own Son to be the Saviour of the world. God is holy, and for Him to show mercy and kindness to us really is phenomenal. There is no good thing in man, but Jesus came to change that forever. When people have offended us we don't want to visit or have anything to do with them, but God demonstrated love in the profound act by becoming a man and walking among us sinners. God has His messengers, but He would deliver this message of love, grace, and salvation Himself.
How can we respond to so great a love, to such "peace, goodwill toward men?" It is reasonable for us each to acknowledge and receive it. Unless we acknowledge a gift is intended for us, we will not open or appropriate it. Having goodwill towards God and towards others is another fitting response. We can show gratitude to God with generosity towards others, being gracious and longsuffering to all. Jesus came with goodwill toward all people, not just a select few. The motto for the Goodwill Thrift Stores became, "Not a Charity - But a Chance." God's charity (love) is the only chance we sinners have for salvation, for it is impossible for us to earn the righteous standing before God required. Jesus came to this earth with His future death in mind, for it is written in Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." In dying for sin Jesus gave sinners a chance to obtain eternal life. There is no chance of salvation apart from Christ, for He is "The Way, the Truth, and the Life."
Glory to God in the highest for bringing peace and goodwill toward men!
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