"Unless ye have believed in vain", or words similar, are frequently used in scripture. There are those who have believed that their 'belief' can save them.
That's like saying I can fly because I believe I can. Putting my faith in my belief in this case would be rather pointless as I indeed cannot fly. But if I believe I can fly because I know an airplane can fly, and if I get on an airplane I will indeed fly, that makes all the difference.
I am saved because Jesus saves. His death, burial, and resurrection for me has saved me. I am not saved simply because I believe, but because my belief is rooted in Someone Who is capable of saving me from my sin, and indeed has.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Joy Unspeakable
"And ye are witnesses of these things."
Luke's Gospel ends with.... "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen." (v. 50-53)
Their Hope had been taken from them.
He had been removed far away and far above.
Why then the joy and not sorrow? Why praise and not despair for tomorrow?
It is even because in blessing them
He had given them a Divine Perspective,
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Indeed He said, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
And their joy came from the Divine Purpose He had given them,
"And ye are witnesses of these things."
But He did not give them a task without a Divine Promise,
"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
His intent was not to leave them alone
but to give them His Divine Power,
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
This my believing friend is why you are here,
We are His witnesses of the things of Divine Penmanship,
And ought not we to think it a Divine Privilege, And with those men of old rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory as we witness of His Divine Pulse. His heart beats in unfathomable love for the world.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"And ye are witnesses of these things."
Luke's Gospel ends with.... "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen." (v. 50-53)
Their Hope had been taken from them.
He had been removed far away and far above.
Why then the joy and not sorrow? Why praise and not despair for tomorrow?
It is even because in blessing them
He had given them a Divine Perspective,
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Indeed He said, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
And their joy came from the Divine Purpose He had given them,
"And ye are witnesses of these things."
But He did not give them a task without a Divine Promise,
"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
His intent was not to leave them alone
but to give them His Divine Power,
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
This my believing friend is why you are here,
We are His witnesses of the things of Divine Penmanship,
And ought not we to think it a Divine Privilege, And with those men of old rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory as we witness of His Divine Pulse. His heart beats in unfathomable love for the world.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"And ye are witnesses of these things."
Friday, October 12, 2012
Father Forgive Them
I know nothing of others pains.
Real.
Some ill conceived.
Or imagined.
BUT I also have hurts.
Those who excel are those who look past their hurts and choose to love anyway. They look past a person's actions by faith and see the motive. Sometimes the wicked motives of others move us to compassion because we see the person in bondage to sin. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Sometimes misguided motives move us to understanding. Those who look past a person's actions by faith and see the motive choose to get better and not bitter. They recognize that behind every deed of friend or fiend is a Sovereign God who orders all things after the counsel of his own w
Real.
Some ill conceived.
Or imagined.
BUT I also have hurts.
Those who excel are those who look past their hurts and choose to love anyway. They look past a person's actions by faith and see the motive. Sometimes the wicked motives of others move us to compassion because we see the person in bondage to sin. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Sometimes misguided motives move us to understanding. Those who look past a person's actions by faith and see the motive choose to get better and not bitter. They recognize that behind every deed of friend or fiend is a Sovereign God who orders all things after the counsel of his own w
ill.
We need to be "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled;" Heb. 12:15
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1
If they will hear you,
you have won thy brother.
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this;
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
But if ye bite and devour one another,
take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Gal. 5:13-15
Will you say with Jesus,
"Father forgive them"?
We need to be "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled;" Heb. 12:15
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1
If they will hear you,
you have won thy brother.
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this;
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
But if ye bite and devour one another,
take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Gal. 5:13-15
Will you say with Jesus,
"Father forgive them"?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)