Perspective for March 15, 2011

Default Destiny

“How can God say that He is love and condemn someone to Hell just because they don't believe in Jesus?”

Good question... but maybe the assumption is the problem? Does God throw unbelievers into Hell? Or, is He working to pull them out of it?

Do we think our default destiny is heaven... unless we’ve done something REALLY bad? So, how could God, who claims to love us, kick us out just because we don’t believe in Jesus?

But, listen to what Jesus said: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." - John 3:17-18Jesus is saying our default destiny is not heaven... rather we are already destined for condemnation ... unless we believe.

God isn’t like some American Idol judge deciding who stays and who goes... rather, the Bible says, He has been working since the foundation of the world to offer hope and rescue to an already condemned, sin-sick world, through the lifeline of His Son Jesus Christ.

So, the real question for those of us who have already been pulled by God from the waves of condemnation is:

Will you just watch God work to save others while you sit warm and dry in the hope of your salvation? Or, will you help people to see their default destiny in John 3:18, and God’s plan to save them from it?

This is my perspective, what's yours?

Jeff

Perspective for March 14, 2011

Is life really "sweeter than the day before"? It says that it is in the hymnal...but in reality, it is neither true nor biblical!

Some days our disposition is bitter even though we are saved! Some days we are so saddened by the circumstance that we are depressed and discouraged.


Every day with Jesus is NOT sweeter than the day before. We know it from experience and from scripture:
Ps 19:7 says, "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul".

If every day with Jesus were sweeter than the day before; if life were a steady ascent with no dips in our affection for God we would never be discouraged or frustrated or depressed and consequently we would never need to be re-vived! When I read the 23rd Psalm and understand that David's soul was "restored" (vs2-3) I conclude that he needed restoration because he was down...not up!

Let's be honest! God does not promise us easy....but he promises us growth of character through adversity as we trust him in difficult days. 

So if today is not sweeter for you than yesterday, try to remind yourself that you are in good company: Stephen, martyred for his faith; Paul, beaten and left for dead; Moses, when hundreds of thousands murmured against him because they had no meat to eat.....oh yeah...the list is long....

But the Word of God revives the soul (Psalm19:7). Take some time today to read it and write a prayer to God. It is like good medicine for the soul!

This is my perspective. What's yours :-)?

Brent