The Gospel: so much more than Good Friday

Today, I reflect on Christ's death, on His sacrifice, on His great love displayed on the cross. The Gospel (His death and resurrection to pay for my sins) has become so much more than a thought on Good Friday to me these past 2 years. I meditate on it every day. I try to teach it and talk about it to my kids every day. I remind myself of it when I see my sin every day! Its transformed the way I live. I used to think that the Gospel was for salvation and I rarely thought about it much. I would  try really hard OF MYSELF to live a good life, obey the rules (which I failed miserably at although people couldn't always tell from the outside)  and the focus really was on ME and what I could DO to look good to God and others. I always felt defeated and discouraged because I couldn't conquer sin- again the focus was on me! Focusing on the Gospel- on His sacrifice, on His great love shown to me on the cross, on His selflessness, on His resurrection- has shown me that the power for the Christian life doesn't come from ME but from what Christ did for me on the cross. When all my focus is on that sacrifice, my life is changed! I realize the GREAT love that Christ has shown me and I love my children, my family, my friends, my neighbors with such a different focus- I want them to see THE GOSPEL thru me and my love. I see the GREAT selflessness that Christ displayed with his death and in focusing on that, God stirs within me a desire to be selfless toward my husband, children, friends, family and serve them! I still struggle daily with sin and my mind needs to be transformed- how? by renewing my mind with the Gospel! By running to Jesus, asking forgiveness and realizing that He HAS forgiven every sin because of the Gospel!!! Oh such amazing, life changing truth!

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow. 

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry. 

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost! 
We stand forgiven at the cross.