If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Sometimes, in court, not only the winner but also the loser benefits. In 1921 the composer Puccini brought suit against the publisher of the song “Avalon,” claiming it was lifted from his opera “Tosca.” The court agreed and awarded him $25,000. But the defendant benefited, too, for the song became a best-seller because of the publicity.
On several occasions Jesus chided His disciples for lack of faith, for pride and rivalry, for quick tempers. The disciples lost every argument they had with their Master. But by this loss they were enriched. They learned valuable lessons.
Is it not so also among Christians today – in the Christian home? Brothers and sisters with differences of opinion go to their parents for a settlement. Sometimes accusations are made: “He took what is mine” – a toy, perhaps. Father or mother makes a ruling. The one declared to be in the wrong may be assessed a penalty. Then it is not for the winner to gloat, nor for the loser to pout. The loser has gained something. He has learned a valuable lesson. He has seen the parents’ love and concern in action. The parent, noting the fondness for the thing in question, may present him with a similar thing for a birthday or Christmas. All have benefited.
Christ forgives those who turn to Him in repentance and faith, and always they are blessed, as Saint Paul tells the Corinthians: “In Him [Christ] you have been enriched in every way" (1 Corinthians 1:5). Take the example of Peter. He denied his Lord, but he repented and was reinstated in his apostleship. He benefited from this experience, and we do likewise. Christ died on a cross that we, who also have sinned, might not be losers but winners. All who repent, accept God’s forgiveness in Christ, and make a new start are winners.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord God, for taking me, a loser because of sin, and making me a winner in Christ. Amen.
(Devotions from "With Jesus Every Day" copyright 1997, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Joshua 10-12 Luke 10:1-24
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