Through Jesus Christ, God has called us to a very glorious calling. The Good News of God that is found in Jesus Christ cannot get any better. It is not only immaculate – free from fault or error but sublime – supreme or outstanding. It is an exceedingly great privilege given to us, mere mortal beings, to experience and enjoy.
All that I write is what we already know but my attempt is to bring together as one document the salient features of this Good News that we may appreciate it the more and exalt and glorify the Architect of this grand plan and purpose by clinging to Him and loving Him more.
Who is the Architect of this great and glorious plan called the Gospel?
He is the everlasting God who rules in majesty and power through all eternity. He is the great ‘I AM’ who made the heavens and the earth, things seen and unseen.
All that I write is what we already know but my attempt is to bring together as one document the salient features of this Good News that we may appreciate it the more and exalt and glorify the Architect of this grand plan and purpose by clinging to Him and loving Him more.
Who is the Architect of this great and glorious plan called the Gospel?
He is the everlasting God who rules in majesty and power through all eternity. He is the great ‘I AM’ who made the heavens and the earth, things seen and unseen.
He is eternal, which means that he antedates time and is wholly independent of it. Time began in Him and will end in Him. To it He pays no tribute and from it He suffers no change.
He is immutable, which means that He has never changed and can never change in any smallest measure. To change He would need to go from better to worse or from worse to better. He cannot do either, for being perfect He cannot become more perfect, and if He were to become less perfect He would be less than God.
He is omniscient, which means that He knows in one free and effortless act all matter, all spirit, all relationships, all events. He has no past and He has no future. He is, and none of the limiting and qualifying terms used of creatures can apply to Him.
Love and mercy and righteousness are His, and holiness so inexpressible that no comparisons or figures will avail to express it. Only fire can give even a remote conception of it. In fire He appeared at the burning bush; in the pillar of fire He dwelt through all the long wilderness journey. The fire that glowed between the wings of the cherubim in the holy place was called the “shekinah”, the Presence, through the years of Israel’s glory, and when the Old had given place to the New, He came at Pentecost as a fiery flame and rested upon each disciple.
In our being given the privilege to come into His Presence, what a broad world we have to roam in, what a sea to swim in is this God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The above text in italics is an extract taken from “The Pursuit of God”, by A. W. Tozer
This very great God who is described above came down to earth for our sakes. Taking the form of man, He lived as a man for over 33 years and not once did He sin. His sinless, unblemished life He offered on the cross as a sacrifice for our sake. Taking upon Himself the punishment that we deserved, He now offers salvation to those who believe in Him and acknowledge the work He did for our sakes. By salvation we mean that He takes away the punishment that is actually due to us because of our sin and wrongdoing so that we should not perish but have eternal life.
For if our sin is still with us and we are not cleansed by the blood of Jesus and we are not forgiven by the mercy of God, then on the Day of Judgment when all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ we shall be condemned to be punished in eternal hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die. In that place there is suffering and torment not for a brief time but for eternity – time without end.
For if our sin is still with us and we are not cleansed by the blood of Jesus and we are not forgiven by the mercy of God, then on the Day of Judgment when all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ we shall be condemned to be punished in eternal hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die. In that place there is suffering and torment not for a brief time but for eternity – time without end.
The Glory of the Gospel
Repentance:
By the mercy of God and the conviction He brought in my heart, I regretted my past actions and all the things I had done wrong. I came before the Lord Jesus and told Him I was sorry. I asked Him to forgive me and not hold my wrongdoings against me. That very moment, God, Who knows the hearts of all men, took me at my word. He forgave me, called me to Himself and blessed me beyond measure, through Jesus Christ.
Below are the blessings I received in the gospel when I come to the Lord Jesus with a repentant heart.
Below are the blessings I received in the gospel when I come to the Lord Jesus with a repentant heart.
Through Jesus Christ, our precious Lord and Saviour I am –
1. Forgiven:
(a) Sin, disobedience and rebellion had kept me far away from God. But the blood of Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice on the cross, cleansed me of all my sin, washed me and made me white as snow (Isa. 1:18).
(b) Not only was I cleansed, but also forgiven. All my past disobedience; all my rebellion; all the hurtful things I did or said; God held it to my account no longer (1Jn. 1:9). He said that as far as East is from the West, so far were my sins removed from me (Ps. 103:12). He also promised that He would remember them no more (Isa. 43:25).
(c) If that were not enough, the blood of Jesus Christ freed me from all guilt (Ps. 32:5). The cleansing work of Christ is so powerful that I have no need to feel guilty of any wrong that I had done, however bad it was. The devil’s attempt to accuse me, remind me or make me guilty of my past wrongs cannot stand.
2. Reconciled:
(a) The Bible tells me that I, personally, was a Gentile – not a descendant of Abraham. I was separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise (Eph. 2:12). I was by nature a wild olive tree but through Jesus was grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree (Rom. 11:24).
(b) Not only this, I was disobedient, having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). But now by the mercy and kindness of God toward me in Christ Jesus, though I was formerly far off, I have now been brought near (reconciled), by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13).
3. Redeemed:
While I lived in disobedience to God, I was a slave to sin (Rom. 6:17). Sin was my master and the outcome of my service to sin was death (Rom. 6:20, 21). There was no other benefit from the things of which I am now ashamed.
(a) But thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, my old self was crucified with Jesus on the cross and my body of sin has been done away with. Now I am no longer a slave to sin (Rom. 6:6). In Christ Jesus, I am a new creation. I can now consider myself dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11).
(b) Now, since I am under God’s favour (grace), sin shall not be master over me (Rom. 6:14). Because, in Jesus, I have been freed from sin, the members in my body can be slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:18). I can now walk in the newness of life (Rom. 6:4).
(c) Also, having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, I derive a benefit, that results in sanctification and the outcome, eternal life (Rom. 6:22).
(d) Not only this, Christ redeemed me from the curse that was upon me because of my disobedience. Instead, He became the curse for me in order that the blessings of Abraham might come upon me (Gal. 3:13, 14).
4. Justified:
(a) Because I believed in Christ Jesus as the One whose sacrifice made me clean, that one act of faith made me righteous and put me in right standing before God (Rom. 4:5). When I was a sinner, I was cut off from this holy and righteous God. Now through Jesus, by faith, I have been clothed with the righteousness of Jesus (Isa. 61:10) and can come boldly in the Name of Jesus before God, confident that God will not cast me away from His presence. Because of Jesus, God now sees and accepts me as righteous.
(b) I also find that though I am a new creation in Christ Jesus; and though with my mind I love God with all my heart and eagerly desire to please Him (Rom. 7:22), yet there is another power at work within me; a power that is at war with my mind. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is in my members (Rom. 7:23). I find that on one hand, with my conscious being – my mind, I am serving the law of God, yet on the other hand, with my flesh, I have the law of sin (Rom. 7:25). But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, though I have this law of sin within my members (what we sometimes call ‘unconscious sin’), I do not have to feel condemned (Rom. 8:1). For the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death (Rom. 8:2). In Jesus, I am righteous before God, if I walk in the ways of the Holy Spirit and not in the ways of my flesh (Rom. 8:4).
5. Born Again as a New Creation:
As a child of Adam, I was born with sin (Rom. 5:12). But when Christ Jesus forgave me of my sin, I was born again as a new creation, not from earthly parentage, but by the Spirit of God (Jn. 3:5, 6). Hence as a new creation, I am born again; not in sin but righteous.
When the Lord Jesus was born on earth, He was born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit (Mt. 1:20). Hence He was sinless from birth. Now, as a new creation in Christ Jesus, I too am born again by the Holy Spirit; made blameless and righteous (2Cor.: 5:21, 17); so that the life I now live, I live no longer for myself, but for Him who died and rose again on my behalf (2Cor. 5:15).
For this reason since Christ Jesus, who sanctifies us and we who are sanctified are all from one Father, He is not ashamed to call us brethren (Heb.2:11). Romans 8:29 calls Him the first-born among many brethren.
6. Made a Child of God:
We have so far seen how great the calling of God has been for us through Jesus Christ. But as we proceed, we discover much more. Through Jesus, we are made children of God (1Jn. 3:1; Jn. 1:12).
Now, I have heard this truth from my childhood and so it is very easy for me to take this blessing for granted. In some ways there is a danger of this great privilege losing its importance. The truth is that this blessing is one of the most glorious privileges of the gospel.
We saw in the introduction how full of glory our God is. He who is the Creator of all things; He who is the Most High, who rules in majesty and power forever; Who has authority over everything, on this earth, over the earth and under the earth; before Whom every knee will bow – such a powerful, awesome Person has considered me His child and through Jesus, this God has become my Father (Jn. 20:17). What an overwhelming privilege!
7. A Temple of God:
Another remarkable privilege that we enjoy in Jesus is the fact that God, the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Holy Trinity has made me His dwelling place (Jn. 14:16). The Lord God has been so wonderfully gracious, He said, “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.” (Jn. 14:18) As a new creation, I am now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:19). God Almighty lives in me. God is with me.
(a) It is the Holy Spirit who gives my spirit new life (Jn. 6:63; 2Cor. 3:6).
(b) It is the Holy Spirit who has become my Councilor, my Teacher and my Guide. It is He who gives me insight into the Word of God and gives me understanding and revelation (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).
(c) It is He who trains me in righteousness and equips me for every good work (2Tim. 3:16, 17).
(d) It is He who is my seal of redemption (Eph. 1:13, 14).
(e) It is the Holy Spirit who shows me the glory of Christ (Jn. 16:14).
8. Filled with the Holy Spirit:
If that were not enough, God the Father, has promised (Acts 1:4) that through Jesus, He will fill me, and immerse me with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). When the Holy Spirit comes upon me, I am clothed with power from heaven (Acts 1:8). I am given enabling to do things I could never do as a mortal being (Jn. 14:12). He gives me gifts or supernatural abilities to use in building the church (1Cor. 14:12) or to confirm what He is saying (Heb. 2:3, 4).
It pleases the Father to give us this promise when in Jesus we simply ask Him (Lk. 11:13). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts. 2:38) from God the Father through Jesus Christ (Jn.14:16). There are times when God has given this promise instantly when people asked Him (Acts 19:6), sometimes before even people have asked (Acts 10:44) and sometimes after a long period of persistent asking (Lk. 11:8 in context vs. 13).
God, who is the same, unchanging Father from generation to generation (Heb. 13:8) and who is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) – for He can never lie nor does He change His mind (1Sam. 15:29) – is pleased and happy to fill us with the promised Holy Spirit (Lk. 11:13). So even if one has not received this baptism, ask and it will be given (Lk. 11:9). It is a blessing of the gospel that we simply cannot let pass. We must have it. We must ask and keep on asking until we are certain that we are filled. Stephen, the first Christian martyr was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was a man full of faith, full of grace, full of wisdom and full of power (Acts 6:5, 8, 10). What a blessed gift we have in the gospel.
9. Constantly Saved (Jesus, our Saviour):
(a) Jesus saved me from eternal death and punishment in hell fire when I came to Him in repentance.
(b) He delivers me from evil (Mt. 5:13). Every time I am tempted to do or say or think something that will not please God, I can cry out to Him who saves (Ps. 145:19). He strengthens me by giving me His power and delivers me from wickedness.
(c) He saves me from those who plot against me (Ps. 106:10)
(d) and from deadly plagues and diseases (Ps. 91:3).
(e) He saves me and rescues me from mistakes and blunders (Job 36:10).
The Lord Jesus is constantly saving me. The Bible tells us that He saves forever those who draw near to God, through Him (Heb. 7:25).
10. Constantly Defended (Jesus, our Advocate):
The Lord Jesus forgives and cleanses me from all unrighteousness (1Jn.1:9). He has made me a new creation so that I no longer give my members – my thoughts, my eyes, my tongue, and my actions – as instruments of unrighteousness but as slaves to righteousness.
The Apostle John says, “I am writing to you that you may not sin. Yet, if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1Jn. 2:1) He defends me. He pleads for me. Jesus Christ battles for me (2Chr. 20:15, 17).
11. Constantly Supported (Jesus, our High Priest):
The Lord Jesus constantly intercedes and prays on my behalf (Rom. 8:34). He stands before the Father making intercession for me (Heb. 7:25; 9:24). The Bible tells me, the Holy Spirit is also interceding for me (Rom. 8:27). The Good News is that God is on my side. He is for me. (Rom. 8:31; Ps. 118:6).
Jesus is my merciful High Priest. He understands all my difficulties and sympathises with me when I am tempted (Heb.4:15). He is my Helper who has promised to never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5). He never gives up on me. He is constantly there to pick me up, to cleanse me, to encourage me and strengthen me. He is the God of all comfort (2Cor. 1:3). A battered reed He will not break off and a smoldering wick He does not put out (Mt. 12:20). How wonderful is my Lord God!
12. Constantly Protected:
In the Gospel, through Jesus Christ, I can feel safe and secure in the arms of my Father because the Bible tells me that I am protected by God (1Pet. 1:5). No one can snatch me out of His hand (Jn. 10:28, 29). There is no one who can bring a charge against me nor condemn me. There is nothing that can separate me from Him (Rom. 8:33-35). He is my hiding place, my fortress and my deliverer (Ps. 32:7; Ps. 18:2). Blessed be His Name!
13. Constantly Strengthened:
13. Constantly Strengthened:
In the Gospel that God has granted to me through Jesus Christ, I am not left to struggle on my own nor do I have to be afraid as I face daily the numerous conflicts and temptations within me and outside me; for God is my strength and my salvation (Ex. 15:2). He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might, He increases power. The strong and capable people may tire and fall but when I wait on God I have enabling and ability to conquer and live victoriously such that I can soar victoriously like an eagle. By the power of God, I can run and will not be weary, walk and not faint (Isa. 40:29-31).
Through the gospel, my victorious Lord Jesus, leads me into victory. (Rom. 8:37; 1Cor. 15:57) The same power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within me and gives life to my mortal being through the Holy Spirit who lives in me (Rom. 8:11; Eph. 1:19, 20).
14. Constantly Blessed:
14. Constantly Blessed:
In Christ Jesus, I am blessed by God. While I live here on the earth, I enjoy the blessings that God desires to shower upon me through Christ Jesus. Consider some of these blessings:
(a) Every good and perfect gift is directed toward me (Jas. 1:17).
(b) Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places has been kept for me (Eph. 1:3).
(c) Through Jesus Christ, my Lord I am favoured; I am made glad and happy; I am contented and full of joy.
(d) I dwell under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1).
(e) The Lord’s face shines upon me. He is gracious and kind to me (Num. 6:24-26).
(f) All that I do, He prospers (Ps. 1:3).
I must state here that the blessings of God are linked to our faithfulness in the covenant that we have with God, through Jesus (Deut. 28: 1-15). The Word of God has made it amply clear that when we are obedient (Jn. 13:17; Mt. 5:19); when we love God (Jn. 14:14, 15); when we make Him, not the resources of the world, our shelter (Isa. 31:1); when we put our trust in Him and not in the strength and power of influential and rich men (Ps. 147:10, 11) then we will be blessed.
15. Constantly Guided:
Another blessed truth in the Gospel is that in Jesus I have the all-wise and all-knowing God to guide me (Ps. 23:3); to give me understanding and revelation (Col. 1:9); to direct my steps (2Thes. 3:5) and to guard my way (Prov. 2:8). He does so with utmost patience. While dealing with me, He is full of mercy and compassion. My God never gives up on me. How great and wonderful is He!
16. Given the Privilege to Fellowship with God:
16. Given the Privilege to Fellowship with God:
Here is another one of the great privileges given to reconciled man, through Jesus Christ in the gospel. As a redeemed child of God I have opportunity to enjoy a daily companionship and friendship with the Lord, God Almighty. My relationship with Him is not just one way, where it is only me talking to Him in prayer but the bond I share with Him through Jesus is a true connection. God talks to me too.
I can testify that in the recent past, as I consistently lived each day with the single-minded focus that God be glorified and honoured in me and as I clung to each word in His Word – in faith and obedience – making it the sole basis on which I make all my life’s decisions, God has been gracious and kind to speak to me regularly. I still stumble and fall and I still do things that grieve Him, but because He is the merciful, compassionate God that we read of earlier, He picks me up and leads me on into a closer and enriching relationship with Him.
Herein lies the big difference that make a Christian realize that his walk with Jesus Christ is not a religion, it is a relationship. No amount of knowledge, degrees, training or anything that is deemed by the world as ‘spiritual’ – such as spending time in church, reading the Bible, preaching, etc. despite the great value it has – can bring about this relationship. The only thing that makes the connection real is a fellowship or companionship that one can enjoy with the Holy Spirit. Frequently, He speaks to my heart, reminding me of His Word – to encourage me, forewarn me; correct me and build me. In the gospel, God has purposed that I not only have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, but also the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2Cor. 13:14).
17. Given the Privilege to Know God:
Each blessing we have seen above is so beautiful and all this is because of Jesus, our Saviour. The magnificent thing is that these blessings continue. The opportunity to know God while we are here on earth is another amazing and exceedingly great privilege given to us in Christ Jesus in the Gospel. Though we are as earthen vessels we have this surpassingly great blessing to know Him and with our inner eyes, see Him.
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to enlighten me. He reveals things about God I never had seen before; He gives me understanding into His ways that had escaped my attention in the past. Though I am like a small cup in a vast and deep ocean the simple insights I receive of God thrills my heart to no end. The Holy Spirit shows me the different attributes of God revealing them to me much like shining a torch on a beautiful object in a dark room. The attributes were always there; I read of and heard of these being spoken of by others before. Now suddenly I see it with my own eyes. The Holy Spirit unveils our eyes and we see as one beholding in a mirror the glory of the Lord, dim though it may be, nevertheless real (2Cor. 3:18).
For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2Cor. 4:6).
This knowledge not only increases my faith in God but also spurs me to love Him more.
Another thing that the Holy Spirit does while revealing to me the glory of God is showing me the glory of Christ. “He shall glorify Me,” said our precious Master while describing the work of the Holy Spirit. “For He shall take of Mine and shall disclose them to you.” (Jn. 16:14) By opening our eyes to the glory of Jesus we suddenly understand that none of the things we are enjoying and none of the blessings we are sharing in would have been possible if it were not for Jesus Christ. In all things the Spirit reminds me, “through Jesus”, “in Jesus” and “because of Jesus” I am blessed. This understanding makes me just want to fall to the ground, face down and worship Him.
18. Hopeful that I will be Resurrected/Raptured:
Because of all this, I cannot but eagerly wait for the Lord to come and take me to be with Him forever. My heart in eager anticipation constantly looks to the Lord crying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” In the gospel, Jesus has promised that He Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall be with the Lord (1Thes. 4:16, 17).
The Bible also tells me that when this happens, we shall be changed. Our mortal, perishable bodies will put on the imperishable (1Cor. 15:52, 53). There are days (I have noticed this increasingly frequent in the recent weeks or months) when I groan, not because I am tired and frustrated of this life, but I groan with a longing that I be clothed with the dwelling (or body) from heaven (2 Cor. 5:2). I wait eagerly for the Lord Jesus to take me home to Himself.
I begin to understand what Paul meant when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… to live on in the flesh is fruitful labour… but I have this desire to depart and be with Christ for that is very much better.” (Phil. 1:21-23) My hope, that this will surely take place, is real. It is a certainty through Jesus Christ in the gospel and sits on my head like a helmet (Eph. 6:17).
19. Promised Eternal Life:
And when I am home in heaven with the Lord, I will be in that place of beauty and perfection and glory; the place God had always wanted us to be even when He placed Adam and Eve on earth – a place free from sin, suffering, hunger, tears and pain (Rev. 7:16, 17); a place where righteousness and worship abounds (Rev. 22:5; 7:15).
There will I see the glory of my God (1Jn. 3:2). There will I behold Him (Rev. 22:4); and worship Him (Rev. 15:4); and know Him more (1Cor. 13:12). In that place He will crown me with the crown of righteousness (2Tim. 4:8) and will cause me to sit with Him on His throne (Rev. 3:21). He will give me a new name (Rev. 2:17) that could define what I am to do. (Names given by God often describe the task of the person. For example, Jesus means, He saves.) There, I will reign forever and ever (Rev. 22:5; 5:10). Through Jesus Christ, I have been given the promise that I will not perish but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16). How excellent is this Good News from God. It is so good, it cannot get any better.
There will I see the glory of my God (1Jn. 3:2). There will I behold Him (Rev. 22:4); and worship Him (Rev. 15:4); and know Him more (1Cor. 13:12). In that place He will crown me with the crown of righteousness (2Tim. 4:8) and will cause me to sit with Him on His throne (Rev. 3:21). He will give me a new name (Rev. 2:17) that could define what I am to do. (Names given by God often describe the task of the person. For example, Jesus means, He saves.) There, I will reign forever and ever (Rev. 22:5; 5:10). Through Jesus Christ, I have been given the promise that I will not perish but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16). How excellent is this Good News from God. It is so good, it cannot get any better.
Means to Help us in our Walk with God
In addition to all the blessings that we have through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, as we have seen above, God has blessed us with a few more things – the Bible calls some of these weapons – that will help us in our walk as a new creation on this earth. These are:
1. His Word: All 66 book in the Holy Bible is the true, faithful and absolutely reliable word that God Himself has given to us so that we could use it as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. The Bible is not just a compilation of books written centuries ago in an era of slaves and kingdoms, but is living and relevant for our modern, technologically advanced generation of today and will continue to be for all ages. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isa. 40:8).
2. Prayer: The second great weapon that God has given us is the power of prayer. Almost all of us may confess that we have grossly underestimated the power there is when a person comes to God, in simple child-like faith and asks Him in the name of Jesus for anything.
Prayer can move mountains. Prayer can stop armies. Prayer can do what no one else can do. It does the impossible. Prayer can do all this not because the power of prayer is in the one who prays, but in the One who answers. God is the One who hears prayer and He answers it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have bold access to the Almighty God our Father and can come to Him any time; every time and He will never cast us away (Jn. 6:37). He is a prayer answering God and never fails those who put their trust in Him (Rom. 10:11).
Prayer can move mountains. Prayer can stop armies. Prayer can do what no one else can do. It does the impossible. Prayer can do all this not because the power of prayer is in the one who prays, but in the One who answers. God is the One who hears prayer and He answers it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have bold access to the Almighty God our Father and can come to Him any time; every time and He will never cast us away (Jn. 6:37). He is a prayer answering God and never fails those who put their trust in Him (Rom. 10:11).
3. Church: Another very precious means of building ourselves into a close walk with God is the church. The body of Christ, comprising of redeemed, sanctified souls is another place where God meets with His children and speaks to them. He tells us that He is there when two or three gather in His Name. Through the enabling and anointing He gives to different members in the church, He builds, edifies and encourages our hearts; tearing down what He needs to tear down and strengthening what He needs to strengthen – for He knows the hearts of all men, even the deepest of their thoughts – and helps those who draw near to Him.
4. His working: Daily, the Lord God who neither slumbers, nor sleeps is working in our lives. He causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). So even when, to our human intellect and understanding, everything seems to be going out of control and though it may seem that we are losing everything, remember our God who sits upon the throne and who reigns forever and ever, has got everything in control.
Not only that, the Bible assures our hearts that God’s thoughts towards us are always for our welfare (Jer. 29:11). We may never understand why God does things the way He does them, but we can rest in the knowledge that His ways are higher than our ways (Isa. 55:9) and He never fails. He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psa. 46:10) As a good Shepherd, He guides us each day, through different events and circumstances. He builds us, to make us better, stronger more beautiful and priceless children of His. He wants us to trust Him and not lean on our understanding (Pro. 3:5) so that as a master Potter He can fashion us for His glory (Jer. 18:6; 2Tim. 2:20, 21).
The Bible also tells us that God works in us to “will” and “to do” all things that please Him (Php. 2:13). If there is any good thing that we do; anything noble; anything of good repute; this is not from ourselves but from God for only God is good (Lk. 18:19; Rom. 7:18). It is God who puts the willingness in our hearts and it is God who gives the ability and grace to carry it out so that in all things, from first to last, God alone would be honoured and receive all glory (1Pet. 4:11).
What sort of people should we be?
Having now seen what a glorious gospel we have been called to; having now comprehended that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2Pet. 1:3); having now understood that He has granted to us precious and magnificent promises (2Pet, 1:4); having now the understanding that since God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for our sakes will much more now also freely give us all things (Rom. 8:32) – what sort of people ought we to be?
Having now seen what a glorious gospel we have been called to; having now comprehended that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2Pet. 1:3); having now understood that He has granted to us precious and magnificent promises (2Pet, 1:4); having now the understanding that since God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for our sakes will much more now also freely give us all things (Rom. 8:32) – what sort of people ought we to be?
The Word of God tells us that we should live our life worthy of the calling we have received (Eph. 4:1). How shall we do that?
1. Please God: The Bible tells us that we should make it our ambition to please God (2Cor. 5:9). There are two ways we can please God – (a) live in absolute faith, trust and dependence on Him (Heb. 11:6) and (b) live in obedience (1Sam. 15:22).
2. Undistracted Devotion: The Lord desires that our love for Him be complete and undistracted (1Cor. 7:35). If we say we love Him and also love other things or people the Bible calls us adulteresses (Jas. 4:4) and a liar (1Jn. 2:3, 4, 15).
3. Honour God: God is honoured when (a) we make every single word in the Bible our guide for all decisions we make; put our complete trust in it, no matter what, even if the whole world considers us a fool; and (b) when we show our trust in Him and His word by being obedient to it. Complete obedience, even when we cannot understand or do not have answers to anything honours God. God is honoured because though we do not see Him, we have believed in Him. He is honoured because though He is unseen yet we obey Him and do everything to please Him.
Look closely at the above three points and you will notice two key words written in different ways – Trust and Obey. The gospel is not complicated. The New Covenant that Jesus Christ has instituted through His blood between us and God, the Father is very simple. All God desires from us in this covenant is to: (a) believe in Him and the saving, redeeming work of Jesus Christ recognizing that it is Christ’s work and His work alone that makes us righteous and (b) live righteous, holy, sanctified lives with the members of our body.
Now to Him who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to make us stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy; to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24, 25).
