… of many things …

This world and all its system is founded upon a lie. God told Adam not to touch the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but Adam disobeyed — based on what? The serpent’s story was “thou shalt not surely die,” but God said “thou shalt surely die”.

This world and all its system is founded on that one act. One act of disobedience plunged the whole world into despair. One act of disobedience produced the likes of Mussolini and Hitler. One act of disobedience produced the cross of Christ, the most heinous act of all.

But, what good would it have done for God to let man die and just say, “See? I told you so.” No, God is love. He created man out of His love, and He saves man out of His love. The Lord therefore had to bring a truth that would forever dispel the lie that the devil sowed. What did He do? He slew the Lamb. He gave Himself for our transgressions.

In the cross of Christ, I see that my sin, however small or great, would eventually destroy me. But, in His cross I also see His infinite love for me — that He would be willing to give Himself for me, and it didn’t stop there. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life. No death or grave can hold down Life. He had to raise again, and He did. And in His resurrection I am lifted up, sitting together with Him in heavenly places, even now.

Praise the Lord!

Man cannot be truly happy without fully trusting in God, who made him in His own image, for His glory and pleasure (Rev. 4:11), and for fellowship. But God could not force man to trust Him — that would be no trust at all. So, for man’s sake He allowed the serpent to enter into the garden, to try man. Of course, man failed miserably. But praise the Lord that He made a way even before He created man … the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8). Through Christ I doubt the Lord no more, through the cross I fully trust Him who loved me and gave Himself for me.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Reading the context of this Scripture we find that Jesus was not satisfied with Martha’s confession. She confessed rightly that her brother would arise at the last day, as the Lord taught them. But here, the Lord is saying “I AM the resurrection, NOW! You don’t need to wait for some last day. If you can believe, you can have that life now.”

Of course, Martha could not believe this at that point — she wasn’t yet converted. Nevertheless, it is the ideal and the Lord can never compromise with the truth. And thus it is left as a record for us, that after the Cross we should no longer be looking to the future for the fulfillment of God’s Word. The reality of it is here and now!!! As Ephesians 2:1, 6 says

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins… And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus

We are already raised up with Christ in the power of His resurrection. This life therefore is meant to manifest that reality.

I heard a story of a young boy once who apparently had a remarkable insight into Scripture. The boy was asked how he thought the Lord entered the room where the disciples were gathered together “the doors being shut” (John 20:26). The boy’s answer was: “The reality of Jesus was greater than the reality of the door.”

We must realize that despite our circumstances, the reality of God’s Word is greater than anything our senses can perceive. Just as Jonah looked about himself in the belly of the fish and counted all these things as lying vanities (Jonah 2:7-9).

Our pastor, Shiva Tewari, had a really inspiring thought in today’s service (well, actually he had a lot of inspiring thoughts, but here’s just one…)

If religion is your god, you are certainly in bondage. However, if God is your religion you are certainly free.

It’s a bit out of context but the thought is simple enough to understand: the church today is so full of impersonating spirits that most of Christianity is not really an inspired life, but instead a copy of someone else’s inspiration.

Instead of praying from the heart, people learn to copy others’ prayers. Instead of fasting out of inspiration, it’s a formula by which we expect to earn some favor from God.

We may quote Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live…” but is it really so? To be crucified with Christ is to be fully identified with the message of His crucifixion, the message of the cross. To know why Christ died, and what it has accomplished in my life!!

Oh that I might truly be crucified with Christ…

I have posted here some quotes concerning the Rapture…