abandoned to Christ.

Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts

Is there life after death? Are we reincarnated and come back as something else depending on the kind of life we previously lived? Can the dead rise back to life? Is there really a Heaven and Hell?

The answers are: yes, there is life after death; no, reincarnation isn't real; and yes, when a person dies, they will be resurrected either to eternal life in Heaven with God, or eternal damnation in Hell with Satan and his demons (John 5:28-29).

Two days ago, we rejoiced in the reason why Good Friday is so good—because, once and for all, the penalty for sin was paid in full for those who by faith, repent and trust their lives to Jesus (Hebrews 10:10).

Today, we rejoice that Jesus Christ is risen! The grave that could not hold our Savior, cannot hold us. The power of sin and Satan were defeated so that sinners whom Christ came to save would be guaranteed eternal life in Him.

Many will celebrate today with chocolate, bunnies, Easter eggs, new dresses and hats, forgetting the weightier matter: Christ is risen! And without the suffering, death and resurrection of the Son of God, none of us could have the hope of eternal life.

This life and all that’s in it, is not greater than the next. No, it’s only a shadow of what’s to come after we leave this earth and these bodies. It’s only a glimpse of what we have to look forward to for all eternity. So get ready and be prepared for Jesus’ second coming by putting your hope and trust in Christ alone. Let today be the day of your salvation (2 Cor 6:2), for when He comes again, it will not be as His first coming, as the Lamb of God, no His second coming will be as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (1 Thess 4:16-17; Hebrews 9:27-28).

Are you ready? If you're not sure, read this article, "Heaven or Hell?" and/or click this link: Need God.

“For if we have been united with Him [Christ] in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."

~Romans 6:5-11

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

~ John 15:13

During our breakfast devotional this morning, we were discussing Good Friday (tomorrow) and Resurrection Sunday (Easter). As we discussed this, I asked our sons, "Why did the Apostle Paul say to the Corinthians, 'For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.' "? (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Why did the Apostle Paul say this? Why did He say that he decided to know NOTHING, except Christ crucified? My youngest son answered first and said, "So that we would remember that Sunday is coming." Then my oldest son answered, "It was so we would remember that we had to be ransomed. A price had to be paid for our salvation." Bingo! What wise sons I have!

God always makes things so simple and clear.

Jesus was, and is still, the best communicator. He took God's word, and all it's mysteries, and made it clear and simple so that His disciples could understand and apply God's precious word to their lives.

So often in Christendom, during this time of year, we only hear about the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But rarely do we hear about His suffering and brutal crucifixion; the ransom that was paid. I'm not sure why this is. But I think it has something to do with the fact that we all, as human beings, like to feel good. We want to be happy. All the time.

We don't want to be angry, we don't want to be sad, we don't want to be anything but happy. I believe it's part of our human nature and also part of the little deceptions that we as a Church allow to enter our minds and hearts, all because it makes "sense" to us. It is the ultimate desire of our flesh.

But in Scripture, we see that sorrow, is a good thing. Pain is a good thing. Sorrow reminds us that sin is desperately wicked and causes great heartache, both to the person committing the sin and to others around them; and more importantly grieves the heart of our Creator and it is what crucified our Savior. Pain reminds us that something more serious and more injurious will happen if we don't stop doing whatever it is that is currently causing us pain. Both sorrow and pain are gifts from God; merciful and gentle warnings that call us to repent from our current course, and turn to Him so that we might truly be fulfilled with all that is good; God

God alone is good and God alone is the Judge and the Justifer. I praise the Lord for revealing this truth!

"It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be Just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law."

~Romans 3:26-31

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