As a young college student, many of us who were preparing for ministry would “debate” theological issues. One of those debates concerned what is it in the Christian faith that is absolutely essential. Was it the incarnation of Christ, the cross, His sinless life, or the resurrection?
I smile about those debates now, but they were very real then. They are very important now. In reality all of the above are essential, but the resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. If Christ has not been raised, our faith, as Paul said, is in vain.
With this in mind, we need to get ready to celebrate the resurrection. How should we do so?
First, look carefully at Scripture. All four gospels use at least one-fourth of the book to tell of the crucifixion and resurrection. For the gospel writers (and the Holy Spirit who inspired the writing), the cross and resurrection is the heart of the faith. Without the resurrection our faith is meaningless.
I suggest reading one of the gospels before Easter. Mark is only 16 chapters but Mark devoted chapters 11-16 to the last week of the earthly ministry of Jesus.
Second, meditate on the significance of what Christ has done. Think of His sinless life, His body and blood given for us, His bearing our sin, and the transformation in us that His work on the cross performed.
Third, ask God to look at your life. Let Him examine you to see if there is any wicked way within you. Ask: “is there anything in my life with which you are not pleased?”
Fourth, turn from your wickedness and ask God to change you. Genuine repentance is hard to begin but it ends powerfully and sweetly.
Fifth, reaffirm your relationship with Him.
This will help make Easter much more than a holiday.
If you would like to receive a daily devotional in your inbox every morning, you can subscribe at the top of the page or you can email me and I will subscribe for you. It’s completely free.
2 Responses
Good Morning. “There is no good apart from God.” So God Morning.
Friday I took a trip for one who Loved and not only expected nothing in return, he was so bull headed in his focus he said, “If your not going to help, get out of the way. Good bye!”
One might think, that after a person came out of pocket to pay workers to reroof his building, spend ones own resources, time, use his connections to facilitate his power needs on a project, donate, share and pray that one who took freely would not be so abrupt. Dr. Joe Cauthen called this person, “One of God’s Mighty Noblemen,” as he introduced him to speak to a class in Cross Cultural Communications. Reverend Dick Randell painted a realistic picture of the individual, the struggle and the polity issues then and sadly now. Dying alone is not a pleasant thought for most of us. It is a remarkable picture of the sufficiency of the Cross. For there in history is the record of the only One Who truly died Alone. And He did it so that none of us would ever have to die alone again.
Love is doing. I think of the Resurrection as The Promise of Hope. It is a Hope that is realized in the Lessons of John the Baptist who said, “I must decrease, so that He may increase.” It is the lesson of Love that celebrates newness of life, giving opportunity for those, perhaps we do not even know exist, to “carry on.” (Now, there are only a few who will likely resinate with the significance of that quote.) It is the picture of Romans 12:5 Action. Love in the Focus of Purposeful Action knowing Who is being served ultimately and Who is Ultimately in Charge. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet Believe.”
So, while I may choose to think of the sweat, anxiety, depravation of funds to my wife and children and liability risk torching on a roof, having IHS Construction employees working on a job just because there is a need and no one else is filling it, I think of the opportunity God has given me to appreciate the Struggle of the Cross, the Pain from God’s perspective. It gave and gives me an opportunity to Thank God for His Provision. All these years later I know I have had a part in the saving of souls I will never see this side of eternity. And God has given me the opportunity over and over again. Most, like Rachel Sims Mission across from 3rd Street Baptist Church, had the same plea: I need this done, no one will do it, will you?
The members of First Baptist Church Covington in the planting of Metairie Church are answering the Call: I need this done, no one will do it, will you? (That is not to say no one is even trying.) You (we) are being given the opportunity to witness a living resurrection Hope in a young pastor couple. It may have the sad results in the “short term” like William Carry’s personal life, but then, that is only looking at it from a visionless flesh perspective, isn’t it?
Jefferson Parish Museum’s mission ha been and is to be a touchstone of God’s Promises fulfilled to the Faithful. Its funds were robbed by greed and some of its touchstones have deteriorated away. It’s survival is dependent on Him and much work in the flesh. God Bless the Vision of the Cooperative Program and the Vision of Dr. Bailey’s effort regarding Metairie Church, etc. And God Save us from short sighted fleshly concerns which by design are combated largely by The Action found in Romans 12:5 by His Design. The responsibility of every One who Calls Him Lord.
The Resurrection then and now, The Never-ending Story of His Name found in us. Romans 12:5
Blessings
Change ha to has
Change us to Us.
Blessings