The infamous journey of 18 inches.
What am I talking about? You've heard it before. The journey of truth from the head to the heart. Getting things we KNOW to become things that affect the way we FEEL.
It is perhaps one of the most difficult things we ever try to do. I have so much that I know in my head, but I have never had it change the way I live. Why?
Exactly how do we make this journey happen?
It happens when we slow down enough to come face to face with the reality of truth. It happens when we allow ourselves to think about what it is we know, to mull over the implications of it.
The journey from the head to the heart happens when the heart is allowed to catch up with the head.
So we come to our Wednesday Word. We can keep going with exegesis. Exegesis is incredibly helpful. However, I want us to take this week allow our hearts to catch up with our heads.
The Gospel is the most weighty truth in all of Scripture. The Gospel is the one truth that will truly change your life. If you let it.
So we collected 10 excerpts from Scripture to help us out. Take the time to read through each one of these. The repetition of truth will help you slow down to recognize the awe-inspiring reality of what Jesus has done for you.
Are you ready? Let's take that 18-inch journey.
"Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV)
Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV)
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
"Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."
Titus 3:3-7 (NLT)
Titus 3:3-7 (NLT)
1 John 4:10 (NLT)
"He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls."
1 Peter 2:22-25 (NLT)
1 Peter 2:22-25 (NLT)
“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Revelation 5:9-10, 12, 13 (NLT)
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Evan Smith
is a Pastor currently
living in Phoenix, AZ. He majored in New Testament Studies at Ozark
Christian College. Born and raised in Texas, he grew up the third-born
of 7 kids and loved (almost) every minute of it! He is happily married
to his high school sweetheart,
Breanna, and has two wonderful kids, Hannah Joy and Peter. More than
anything, Evan wants to be a man who is marked by a hunger for God.
I love this thought. we live in a fast paced world. The concept of really slowing down is not what most people grasp. Thank you for your words, I enjoying reading your post!
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