I return to work today after a summer vacation break eager to pick up my responsibilities again at Crossway. I am very grateful for the time away with my family and had a refreshing and instructive time (more on that later). One unexpected aspect of my vacation was that God greatly encouraged me regarding the power that the gospel has to change a life and the ultimate victory that His death has accomplished for everyone He has chosen. It was as if God kept saying to me over and over again, “no power can stand in the way of my love when I set my affection on a person.”

While away I read these words which seemed to echo what I heard God saying to me.

But Jesus Christ, with his shoulder to the cross, … moved heaven’s judgment from its course towards us and directed it to himself, absorbing it all until every evil in us that justified the wrath of God was fully punished. He did this so that his Father’s blazing love could freely, abundantly, and righteously flow toward those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.

The thought that there is no sin in me that is not covered by the cross of Christ coupled with the fact that nothing stands in the way of God’s love flowing towards me gives fresh meaning to the words we sing, .. “and He is mighty to save.” I am looking forward to worshiping with all of you this Sunday.

The Great Work of the Gospel by John Ensor. p. 105