Ok, so let's look at a day in your life. We are all going to die, right? Well than you might as live it up by your own standards and do as you do. How is that working for you? Let's face is your not completely satisfied, so now you decide to start fixing up the mess you created, how do you do this? Well, besides the basics like job, car, making things right at home, maybe, just maybe some of that "spiritual stuff" them Christians (not the Muslims there kind of bugged out), but that Christian things sounds like it might be a good way to get on the right track, hey it might just be right, after all who doesn't want to go to heaven? Man, this whole being good for God thing isn't all that easy, you start feeling bad constantly, you always need to repent and try better. Let's face it , that constant trying not to sin, and trying again not to sin thing isn't exactly working- your a sinner (Romans chapter 3; James 1:13-14; 1 John 2:15-17)). But you look around, all these so-called Christians don't have it all together, maybe the pastor, but atleast your trying your best and God sees that and you have the hope that you will die and since you confessed Jesus name, you will die and be in heaven. WELL, GUESS WHAT?? That is everything but salvation. First, that is zeal without knowledge, salvation and faith are based upon the knowledge of God, therefore understanding why and what you are convinced of is important. 2nd, your apathy of just trying your best and getting by- looks horrible as a witness for Christ and is not pleasing in the eyes of God (ahh..the lukewarm message!).
Imagine this with me. Jesus Christ came to destroy the works on the devil (1 John 3:5-8; John 12:31; Matthew 12:22-30; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20 cf. Revelation 22:15; Romans 16:20). This leads to a process in theology called "Soteriology", which means study of salvation. Jesus Christ initiated and fulfilled the process of redemption and salvation (also justification and glorification) for mankind. God creates covenants, we read about these in Scipture (covenants with Abraham, Jacob, Moses, the nation of Israel, and finally through all of those- those who rest in the assurance and faith of Jesus Christ). - that is the whole story in a nutshell.
Understanding this and living with this understanding leads to a life without sin and death (Hebrews 9:26-28; Romans 6:4-7, 23; Romans 8:1-2;1 Corinthians 15:20-28 cf. 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Romans 7:7-11; Romans 5:12-14; Romans 4:13-15; James 2:10), a life that has been transformed by the presence of God and will never end (John 8:49-59; John 11:25-26; Titus 1:2; Jude 1:21; John 3:16 ), and the power of being a child of God with a power that is unmatchable (Ephesians chapters 1-2).
Do you see why that zeal without knowledge just flat out sucks? God loves us and fulfilled this plan for us to grow into it with all our mind, hearts, soul and strength.
Fact of the matter is that Jesus Christ did not fail in what He had come to do. To destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:5-8). The Bible is the story of how man allowed Satan to get in the way of a perfect relationship with God (which causes man to die, spiritually- Genesis216-17 cf. Isaiah 59:1-2 ) and then God being a loving an amazing God through His ultimate wisdom and glory restored that relationship by fulfilling His promises and defeating death- this is called the Kingdom of God ( Revelation 21:1-5; Mark 1: 14-15, 25; Luke 15:21-24), which is what leads us to salvation. Did you catch that?
When you begin to understand and realize the true message and good news of Jesus Christ, you glorify God. John Piper said, "God is most satisfied when we are most satisfied in Him". Through the Word of God, we begin to have a renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). This renewed mind allows for us to engage the world in a whole new way, we are ambassadors and proclaimers of a whole new way- as Shane Claiborne and those within his community would say- "Another world is possible!". As Christians we don't live in a battle between sin and death, life and joy- the battle has been won, our Lord is King! We have the freedom through the knowledge of God to make all thoughts captive to Christ ( 2 Corinthians 10:5).
As an ambassador of the kingdom of God thats the offer I extend to you. Within the kingdom of God we have a glorious message of how amazing and glorious God is, this message is the healing of all nations (Revelation 22: 2) and the water of life to all who are thirsty (Revelation 22: 17).
What do you think?
Live-Love-Laugh, all for the glory of God,
Michael Miano
*Do you fully understand God's plan of redemption? Ever wonder why, either as a Christian or an unbeliever- you struggle with the concepts of battling sin? Contact me and we can go through it. In the meantime- Search the Scriptures!
Salvation understood (study some verses)-
Hebrews 10:35-39; Romans 13:11-12; Revelation 12:10; I Thessalonians 5:8;
Luke 21:28; Ephesians 1:14; 4:30; Romans chapter 8; Hebrews 9:23-28; Romans 13:11-12; Hebrews 11
Isaiah 11:6-9 cf. Ephesians 2:17-18
Isaiah 65-66 cf. John 11:25-26
2 Corinthians 5:1-4 (better yet, read all of 2 Corinthians)
ASK QUESTIONS, DEMAND ANSWERS!!
