We find factual statements of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Bible. We may think, for example, of the protoevangelium in the third chapter of Genesis, where God promises the offspring of a woman victory over Satan.[2] We may think of the ram in the thicket substituted for Issac in Abraham’s sacrifice on Mount Moriah.[3] We may think of the statement of redemption in the introduction to the Ten Commandments.[4]
Tag Archives: Christianity
Crucified with Christ
Such renouncing is not turning from something to nothing, as if we are to empty ourselves of all desire, but to everything that Christ is for us. Let us not look back to what we have said goodbye, like Lot’s wife, but look to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). The shame, suffering, and death of the cross were not joy for Christ but looking through it, he focused on the joy to come, his resurrection, the salvation of his people, his eternal glory. And his joy is ours, as we have been crucified with Christ, we love him supremely, die to self daily, and live for him truly, serving as salt in a world that needs to “taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Ps. 34:8).
To the Highways and the Hedges
When you are invited to a dinner party, what things might you say to your host? “Thank you,” is always appropriate. Perhaps, “What a lovely home you have,” or “The meal was excellent,” “The conversation was engaging,” “You are a gracious host,” or even “May I have that recipe?” What you are likely not to say is, “You invited the wrong folks.” But Jesus, in a sense, said it.
The Wisdom of Humility
He was shamed, slandered, and tortured for nothing he did but what we did, even to the point of death, even death on a cross. He deserved none of it and took all of it, humbling himself that he might bring “many sons to glory” (Heb. 2:10). And as God’s sons and daughters, we glory in God’s son. For he who died for our sin and resurrected for our life has ascended, and “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). Amen.
Christ’s Course Victorious
When Christ returns, the words of the psalmist will be heard loud and clear throughout the world, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Luke 13:35). It will be sung as a worldwide anthem, blessing the One who was faithful to complete his course and live and reign victorious. And Jew and Gentile, reconciled to God in one body through the cross, will rejoice in Christ’s course victorious, confessing, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33, 36).
The Inclusive Exclusive Christian Faith
In summary, it is the belief that Christianity is merely one or many ways to heaven, eternal life, the next life, call it what you will. What is required to go heaven, per se, is good intentions, sincerity, and a sprinkling of good works (on a sliding scale). Heaven, it is thought, will be filled with a variety of faiths and people, except Adolf Hitler and that guy you don’t like at work.
Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow
Through God’s outward and ordinary means of grace Christ’s church will grow, both near and far. The world won’t take notice. Why should they? But in the eyes of God we are a mustard seed growing heavenward, leaven spreading across the globe. For, Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
The Peace Christ Gives
For faith in Christ reveals God’s covenantal favor upon you, grace bestowed before the foundation of the world, love predestining you for adoption, and peace made perfect in Christ.[5] And what can we say of the grace that enables us to believe the gospel while others, even our loved ones don’t? What can we say of the gift of faith that justifies us as righteous before God? While we may wonder, “Why me?”, but surely we can say with all the saints before us, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33, 36).
Hope in Her Offspring
And so, while time continues, history repeating itself with seemingly endless consistency, there will be a last day, and every person will stand in judgment before the Son of God. On that day, the offspring of Satan will be revealed and readied for eternal damnation, the anguish of their suffering even more consistent than their sin upon the earth. But all who look to the promised Son of Hope in faith will be found righteous and right with God. And though our human hearts may cry with little Anne of Green Gables, “I’ll try to do and be anything you want me, if you’ll only keep me,” God’s Word tells us Christ has done it all, redeeming us the image-bearers we were created to be, kept in Christ, for all eternity.
Are You Ready?
By God’s grace through faith in Christ, we become children of God and citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, we are to seek the kingdom first, setting our hearts on the heavenly: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34). The apostle Paul likewise directs us to set our “minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For [we] have died, and [our] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is [our] life appears, then [we] also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:2-4). And yet, how many of us find it hard to set our minds on things above while we’re still here and living now? By God’s design, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night,[2] life goes on, doesn’t it? Yes, “he who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6), but are we ready for that day?
Planter, Pastor, Preacher 