Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three.
One lived and died for self; one died for you and me;
One led vast armies forth; the other walked alone.
One shed a whole world’s blood; the other gave His own.
One won the world in life and lost it all in death;
The other lost His life to win the whole world’s faith.
…since we are unable to come to God, God draws us, God invites us: This is God’s grace. To overcome our incapacity, our depravity and our impotence, God must use His infinite capacity, His singular purity and His almighty power to draw us to Himself.
We must contend for our faith, by fighting for holiness, standing against false teaching and demonstrating, by the obedient lives we live, the truth of the Gospel: that it is possible for a man to live for God, it is possible to be holy.
In the end, the battle is fought on the grounds of FAITH: do we believe that Jesus did all for us, that He will manifest His righteousness in us despite all apparent evidence to the contrary?
There is still much confusion among Believers regarding the role of Baptism: Specifically, whether or not Baptism is required for salvation. There is much already written on this subject; nevertheless, it will addressed here because of its importance and its thorniness.
It meant he would lose his job, his wealth, his seat “at the receipt of custom”. It meant taking the biggest risk of his life. But this was his only chance, his only hope, his only way out. Either he would follow Jesus or fester in the mess he had created for himself.
For on that peaceful night,
God sent his only son.
That one day he’d be a man,
Eternal life would come.
I’M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I’M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that’s capable of looking past the outward and seeing what’s truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It’s the Gospel. So, finally, I’M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.
Brothers and sisters, thanksgiving is not an arbitrary concept. Thanksgiving is a consequence of our faithful response to God, Himself.
Wise men of today,
For whom do you seek?
Whose star will lead you?
Whose praise shall you speak?
What worth is wisdom,
If it cannot save?
What joy is wisdom,
That ends in the grave?
Reflections in The WORD 