"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3)
Christianity is not based on human opinions or philosophical inferences or assumptions. It is built on absolute truth (Matthew 16:18) that can never be debated but accepted. As a former Muslim, who was radically born again, I know firsthand the arguments that have been made against Christianity. Jesus Christ is not a myth, but the Son of God (Luke 22:70) sent in human form to redeem a lost world back to God the Father. Jesus blood that was shed on the cross was the currency of our redemption transaction. The hope of Easter is a reality in every believer that has opened the door of their hearts and life to Jesus. The hope of Easter gives us an unshakeable evidence of an eternal communion with God.
When I think of Easter, my thoughts always turn to the account in Matthew 28:11-15, “Some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.' And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure." So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."
The guards at Jesus tomb had to know there was something out of the ordinary about this Man that was killed and buried in the grave they were assigned to protect. They were so close to the supernatural and yet never experienced transformation. They were so close to their breakthrough, yet failed to acknowledge the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The guards were so close to the hope of eternal communion with God, yet decided to reject the truth. They were so close to their miracle, yet they hardened their hearts to the truth.
They were so close to divine wisdom, yet they chose to follow human decrees. They were so close to an eternal exchange, yet chose material exchange. They chose to carry their burdens with them, instead of leaving them all at the cross. They were so close to the Advocator, yet chose to do things their way. They were so close to the Way, Truth, and Life, yet chose to reject the truth. Can you begin to see how privileged you are as a believer? Amazing grace found you, touched you and you're forever His.
Can you imagine been that close to the Savior and Deliverer and yet not saved or delivered? The guards show us “what not to follow” as believers. What will you chose to do with the Hope of Easter? Celebrate the living evidence of the hope of Easter. Jesus is Alive and lives in us His bride. That is one perpetual reason for continuous celebration. He is Risen and lives forever more!
Repost from Easter March 29, 2013.
Christianity is not based on human opinions or philosophical inferences or assumptions. It is built on absolute truth (Matthew 16:18) that can never be debated but accepted. As a former Muslim, who was radically born again, I know firsthand the arguments that have been made against Christianity. Jesus Christ is not a myth, but the Son of God (Luke 22:70) sent in human form to redeem a lost world back to God the Father. Jesus blood that was shed on the cross was the currency of our redemption transaction. The hope of Easter is a reality in every believer that has opened the door of their hearts and life to Jesus. The hope of Easter gives us an unshakeable evidence of an eternal communion with God.
When I think of Easter, my thoughts always turn to the account in Matthew 28:11-15, “Some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.' And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure." So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."
The guards at Jesus tomb had to know there was something out of the ordinary about this Man that was killed and buried in the grave they were assigned to protect. They were so close to the supernatural and yet never experienced transformation. They were so close to their breakthrough, yet failed to acknowledge the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The guards were so close to the hope of eternal communion with God, yet decided to reject the truth. They were so close to their miracle, yet they hardened their hearts to the truth.
They were so close to divine wisdom, yet they chose to follow human decrees. They were so close to an eternal exchange, yet chose material exchange. They chose to carry their burdens with them, instead of leaving them all at the cross. They were so close to the Advocator, yet chose to do things their way. They were so close to the Way, Truth, and Life, yet chose to reject the truth. Can you begin to see how privileged you are as a believer? Amazing grace found you, touched you and you're forever His.
Can you imagine been that close to the Savior and Deliverer and yet not saved or delivered? The guards show us “what not to follow” as believers. What will you chose to do with the Hope of Easter? Celebrate the living evidence of the hope of Easter. Jesus is Alive and lives in us His bride. That is one perpetual reason for continuous celebration. He is Risen and lives forever more!
Repost from Easter March 29, 2013.
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