He is Risen!

     In this past week we have celebrated the greatest story and the greatest gift… ever.  Some may read those words and think, yeah, story.  To many perishing we preach a fable.  To those enlightened with the truth of the gospel, we preach a relationship with God and  eternal life.  Lets be clear on this truth.  I take classes, which I’ve mentioned, on the truth of the bible and the gospel message.   The truth is not from man nor is it from a religious sect or order.  It is straight from the bible.  The bible whose very scripture is inspired by God.  That means He’s had a hand in the writing of it.  That includes its very approval.  Nothing is to be added or taken away.  That being said it is a triumph of connections and one ultimate message.  That of the salvation plan of God which is the propitiation of His Son, Jesus Christ.  The Word that became flesh and dwelt among us.  (John 1:14) 

and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. – 1John 2:2  NASB

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. – 1John 4:10 NASB

Who God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.  This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; – Romans 3:25  NASB

     Propitiation means, to be a sacrifice in order to satisfy God’s wrath.  We can’t do it, so, Jesus did it for us.  God’s wrath is that wrath against the sins of man.  I use the word “connections” because in studying this great and wonderous book, God reveals a plan that begins in Genesis and is fulfilled for the glory of God and the redemption of His creation through His love and sacrifice all the way to the final book of Revelation.  The “books” that make up the bible are books offered through prophets and those specifically called and chosen by God to write from the use of psalms (sacred songs or sacred poems meant to be sung), poetry, allegorical and historical narrative and letters.  The bible is, a great collection of writings that explain Gods purpose for man and His past, present and future plans for mankind.  It is about our fall and the grace allowed for us to choose to be back in a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer.  Once we chose to believe we begin to see why we need God so much and so entirely!  Our lives now begin to make sense.

Bridge of rocks

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” – Romans 1:16-17   NASB

     So, the gospel message is a message of hope.  Not, Oh I hope they find a cure for all the diseases that plagues mankind, but a real hope and trust that God keeps His word and what’s promised to us will be fulfilled.  The gospel message is Jesus and Him crucified for our sins.  He was buried.  He is the Resurrection.  He rose on the 3rd day.  He appeared to many, 500 at one time.  All of this is according to scripture (both Old Testament and New Testament).  Our faith is that we believe this.  We repent of our sins.  We are crucified with Christ.  We die to our sins, our sinful life.  We know we are still in this flesh but we rise above those old temptations.  We become new beings.  Our hearts belong to God.  We are guided by the Holy Spirit Who now dwells within us.  We ask God to guide us and protect us from the temptations of this broken world.  We look to the power of the message of the cross.  Amen.  He is risen indeed!

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength;  They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. – Isaiah 40:31  NASB