“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! … There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 7:24-8:1
Counting your blessings and expressing thanksgiving to God for them is something we should do “early and often.” But I urge you today: make it a full list of blessings! Give God thanks for all the physical things he has given you, for the help he provides through each day, for your treasured relationships … as the list goes on, be sure to remember the deepest things of all: thanksgiving for salvation from your sin, for freedom from slavery, for redemption from wretchedness. Without this core, all the other blessings would never have come to be!
Spend some time remembering your “B.C.” days – what was your life like before you accepted Christ as your Savior? What sins tormented you? What fears gripped you? What addictions enslaved you?
Picture the cross in your mind, with Jesus hanging on it. Consider that every beat of his heart was for you – to save you from those sins, those fears, those addictions … from the absolute wretchedness of your life.
Now picture him risen from the dead – your savior, your brother, your friend, your king, your captain, your advocate, your peace, your hope, and your God! Offer him great thanksgiving from the depth of your heart!
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