The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 4:1,
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge..."
Paul tells Timothy to discharge the duties given him and to be prepared at all times. As Paul does so, he does "in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead." In short, everyone faces this judgement.
Some folks have not figured out what Christianity is all about - the bigger picture. As we all know, some attend church as the "spiritual" component of an otherwise healthy lifestyle. Much like going to the gym, reading informative books, attending career-enhancing seminars, investing wisely, etc. Its just "good" to insure we are addressing what we might consider to be those "spiritual things" in our lives. Others, I am quite certain, attend church to make sure their teenage children get started on the right foot, hoping that youth group will keep the kids from drugs, alcohol and sexual promiscuity. Many may attend because it is the way they were raised, that it is the right thing to do. Some may get involved in church in an effort to save their marriage, to straighten out their husbands or wives. Some may go to church as they face a frightening illness or infirmity, or due to the bereavement of losing a loved one - a place to find solace. Church is also a great place to make friends and meet the right kind of people when moving into a new area.
I'm sure there are many reasons why folks get involved in a fellowship. While many of these reasons are legitimate and needful, none of the ones I mentioned approach what Christianity is primarily about - "the bigger picture."
The bigger picture is that we are all sinners. Since Adam and Eve, all have sinned. Because of this, we all face God's judgment, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..." Hebrews 9:27. This is what Christianity is all about, bottom line. The big picture is that God is both a God of love and a God of justice, "let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Jeremiah 9:24. Because of God's justice, we all face judgement. Because of God's love, he has made a way for us to escape the punishment of his judgement (to be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 21:8), and beyond that, to be included in his family, forgiven of all sins, given eternal life, a place at God's table and an inheritance for all those who are his. This is the big picture.
The big picture is that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, John 14:6. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Christianity is not just another religion - it is the only way to God and the only way to escape his judgement. It is the way of faith in Jesus Christ, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." John 1:12.
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge..."
Paul tells Timothy to discharge the duties given him and to be prepared at all times. As Paul does so, he does "in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead." In short, everyone faces this judgement.
Some folks have not figured out what Christianity is all about - the bigger picture. As we all know, some attend church as the "spiritual" component of an otherwise healthy lifestyle. Much like going to the gym, reading informative books, attending career-enhancing seminars, investing wisely, etc. Its just "good" to insure we are addressing what we might consider to be those "spiritual things" in our lives. Others, I am quite certain, attend church to make sure their teenage children get started on the right foot, hoping that youth group will keep the kids from drugs, alcohol and sexual promiscuity. Many may attend because it is the way they were raised, that it is the right thing to do. Some may get involved in church in an effort to save their marriage, to straighten out their husbands or wives. Some may go to church as they face a frightening illness or infirmity, or due to the bereavement of losing a loved one - a place to find solace. Church is also a great place to make friends and meet the right kind of people when moving into a new area.
I'm sure there are many reasons why folks get involved in a fellowship. While many of these reasons are legitimate and needful, none of the ones I mentioned approach what Christianity is primarily about - "the bigger picture."
The bigger picture is that we are all sinners. Since Adam and Eve, all have sinned. Because of this, we all face God's judgment, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..." Hebrews 9:27. This is what Christianity is all about, bottom line. The big picture is that God is both a God of love and a God of justice, "let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Jeremiah 9:24. Because of God's justice, we all face judgement. Because of God's love, he has made a way for us to escape the punishment of his judgement (to be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 21:8), and beyond that, to be included in his family, forgiven of all sins, given eternal life, a place at God's table and an inheritance for all those who are his. This is the big picture.
The big picture is that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, John 14:6. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Christianity is not just another religion - it is the only way to God and the only way to escape his judgement. It is the way of faith in Jesus Christ, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." John 1:12.
This is the big picture. And those other things people may attend church for? All of that is wonderful icing on the cake! However, don't miss the cake! Otherwise the really important thing will be missed!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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