If Life was a test, God would have given us a text book with a clear question and answer sheet…
If Life was a journey, God would have given us a clear map with delegated longitude and latitude marking…
If Life was an endurance program God would have been us a free weight system with a healthy eating regime...
God's Good News is profoundly simple and simply profound. We need a childlike sincerity as we approach God in faith. "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them…'Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven'" (Matt. 18:2; Mark 10:16; Matt. 19:14).
Missionary scholar, E. Stanley Jones observed, The Scriptures are not the [incarnate] revelation of God, this would be the Word become printers ink – The Scriptures are the inspired record of the Revelation, the Revelation seen in the face of Jesus, the Word become flesh." [1]
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
But because Life is a Person, God has given us this Life whose Name is Jesus-- God's Eternal Word made flesh, His Word who lived, died on the cross and was raised from the dead. We who are His people have been born again into Him, and abide in Him, even as He abides in us…
"At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you"(John 14:20).
- we are made safe from error because He is the Truth …
"'And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'…'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed'"(John 8:32-36).
- we are kept from getting lost in confusion because He is our Way…
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6)
- and we are protected from death because He is our very Life and Breath!
"'O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:55-57).
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (1Col. 3:1-4).
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[1] E. Stanley Jones, In Christ, Tuesday, Week 1
- L. Alford
