If the Buffalo Bills win the Super Bowl this year, it will be great! We’ll talk about it for days or longer. But as great as that will be (by faith!), it won’t be measured by a marked, pivotal or lasting difference to our daily lives. How you treat your wife and your children won’t be transformed. How you work and submit to your employer won’t be transformed. How you steward your finances won’t be transformed.

When I purchased my noise-cancelling headphones, that was a great purchase! It had immediate benefits to my ability to focus, study, and be productive on an almost daily basis. But it didn’t transform how I serve people or search my heart before I preach.

When we decided to purchase our home over 20 years ago, that was a great (and most difficult) moment that forever changed the direction of my life. But it didn’t give me new power to pray or to grow in the gifts of the Spirit.

When I married Alissa nearly 25 years ago, that was one of the greatest days of my life. It has impacted my daily life in almost every way. (“Almost?” I hear her asking!) But it didn’t give me a selfless heart or create a pure heart within me.

When my children were born/adopted, that was a great day! One that fundamentally changed the identity and motivation of my life. But it didn’t impart patience to me or empower me to love unconditionally.

How great is a thing? In proportion to how permanently and completely it impacts your life.

For the Christian, how great is the love of God for us in Christ Jesus?

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) No one and no thing is as great as Jesus Christ! Neither in heaven nor on earth!

Who else is worthy to be loved “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”? (Matthew 22:37).

Here is a permanent and complete transformation of heart and life. A reorientation of every desire and motivation. A rebirthing of every thought and action. Nothing is left untouched. Undone. Unchanged. All that we were and are and hope to be is forever and completely given a new name: “anyone who is in Christ is a new creation”.

Dear Elim Grace, the greatness of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is incomparable. The greatness of His love for us is indescribable. To those whom the greatness of His glory has been revealed; for those who have tasted and seen of His great goodness; life is forever different. Transformed. Made new. Abundant. Salvation has come.