OK, The Good News Explained

I thought, after the last post I should actually explain how this horrible fate can be avoided--to the glory of the living God.

The best launch point I can think of is this. Something is wrong in the world. We are disappointed, upset, unfulfilled, people get diseases, have fights, broken relationships, broken promises, nations at war, deadly storms, unrest in every corner of the world humans trod--and then you die. God lays down the gauntlet and says it is because of sin. Do you have any other explanation for why everything man hates surrounds us all the time, and tends to pull us to the inexorable grave?

But look at human experience another way. Did you ever witness a sunrise against a purple-streaked blue sky, with a bird chirping for joy in the background. Did you ever see the majesty of a crisp Fall day with the breezes making the multi-colored leaves dance and fall from their position on the tree to the cooled and moistened ground. Have you ever eaten something like ice cream, and felt a sense of pleasure inside. What about family and friends? What about all those birthdays you got at least a card, if not food and presents? Did you get any education? Do you use it today? Did you ever see a baby--maybe your own. Why do they play, eat, and grow? Why do they learn to laugh? Do you think all this is an accident? You have to literally fight off joy with a stick if you choose to believe so.

Choose to believe not only that there is a God, but that He is good. Your believing does not make it so, but it merely allows you to see it. There is more than enough evidence.

So how do you reconcile the two realities--bad and good in the same universe? You can't in one sense, but in another if you believe that God by definition can do anything, then he must have a plan. Look at it this way. "The creation was made subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of one who subjected it. In hope that this flesh itself may be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8).

God has a plan to right all the wrongs in the universe, most importantly, sin--even yours. That's why I did the last post. Everything else he does in all creation is gravy. Bless God, he is going to "deck the halls" in anticipation of all who come to heaven. (Read Revelation 21-22).

So do you see what God is up to? You admit that you cannot help yourself. If He is the great Architect of the New Heavens and New Earth, he is also the only one who can fit you for it.
So you believe His promise. "All the Father gives me will come to me, and him who comes to me I will in no case cast out (John 6:37)." Don't get discouraged by the statement about "being given to the Son by the Father." This will make sense in due time. If you are perplexed, go to Matthew 11:29. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." And throw yourself on him as your only hope of forgiveness for the sin that caused all this mess.

You may find yourself seeing the Cross event with new appreciation at this point. Good. That is exactly where God wants you. Jesus was crucified for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. (check out Isaiah 53:4-6), and did really come out of the tomb. I assure you, it will all make sense by a miracle, and by nothing less. At this point, you are ready to jump!

You must stay close to him and the Bible at every point, every day--and what a joy it is to those who are inclined thus. Not to secure your salvation, but to remain aware of it, and thereby demonstrate it, however mysteriously. That is what the New Testament letters of Paul and others are about. There is a whole bunch to learn--and to unlearn at this point. But if God has begun a good work in you, he will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

I hope and trust this is helpful. And if you have any questions drop me a line, or go to other websites like walkintheword.com, for example.