STUCK ON MYSELF, OR MY OWN SELF STUCK?

Much is heard today about having a positive self image.  Man's image was vrey positive in the day he was created, in God's own image.  That image was lost when man sinned by disobeying God.  Now, man's only hope for a genuine positive self image is to tbe changed into the image of Christ, who is the image of God.

Many years ago, there was a popular fad called "trading stamps." Many businesses gave out a stamp for every ten cents worth of purchase.  These were stuck in a savings stamp book and redeemed for valuable gifts.

Like trading stamps, our value lies, not in ourselves, but in our redemption.  We have been licked by the devil and stuck on earth.  When sin's book was full, God sent His Son to purchase this book and redeem it. 

The Bible says that, with God, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day.  From that perspective of time, Jesus handed us over heaven's redemption counter at Calvary and is awaiting the ultimate return on His ultimate purchase.

Like stamps, we are worth nothing in ourselves, but only when redeemed.

Jesus was God's perfect Gift to us. He purchased us with His own blood and redeemed us.  We are stuck sure in His Book of Life.  Christ's return on His purchase will be His Bride.  A Church without spot or wrinkle.