majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him in Galatians 6:17,
"Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks
of Jesus."
One thing is for certain: Paul suffered for Jesus Christ. Anyone who
approaches the commitment of life to the cause of Jesus Christ as Paul
did has to be thoroughly convinced of the claims of the gospel and the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul knew first hand of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his
ascension into heaven because that is exactly as Jesus Christ was when
Paul met him: raised and ascended. It seems to me that our walk with
Jesus Christ both begins and ends on our faith in the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. Paul says in Romans 10:9-10, "If you confess with your
mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you
believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess
and are saved."
If anyone were to ask me what it takes to make it into heaven this is
the passage I would point to. Calling Jesus Christ as my Lord and
believing in the resurrection brings me heaven-bound. When I call
Jesus Christ my Lord it means I bow to him and follow him (and no one
else - no other Lord!). When I believe in the resurrection it means
that I have faith and trust in the literal raising of Jesus Christ
from the dead by God the Father demonstrating his satisfaction of the
payment Jesus made for the sins of all mankind. If the Father's
justice for sins had not been satisfied for all time Jesus Christ
would not have raised from the dead. But he did raise from the dead
because he was sinless and qualified to give his life as a ransom for
others.
All we are asked is to embrace this in faith. If I believe in the
resurrection just as confidently that I am sitting here writing this,
I will be saved. Here is an amazing thing! While most folks feel they
have to earn a place in heaven - out of his matchless kindness, mercy
and love, God offers us a place at his table by simple faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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