"God makes it quite clear in His Word that He has only one answer to every human need- His Son, Jesus Christ. In all His dealings with us He works by taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place. The Son of God died instead of us for our forgiveness: He lives instead of us for our deliverance. So we can speak of two substitutions- a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures our victory. It will help us greatly, and save us from much confusion, if we keep constantly before us this fact, that God will answer all our questions in one way and one way only, namely, by showing us more of His Son."
-Watchman Nee in the The Normal Christian Life
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Resurrection is Promised!
Doubting and unbelieving thoughts often overwhelm my thinking. Even though I would like to view myself as an optimist, I am by nature, a hard core pessimist. But, as I study Scripture, I am seeing how my thoughts need to radically change by God's grace. My reading today included this verse,
"For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes;" (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Our doubts and unbelief can be addressed by considering the promises and hopefulness that the gospel gives, and that, on a day by day basis. Even in painful times, our God of glory sounds out His victorious message that He has conquered the very worst.
"He wants to transform every form of human suffering into something glorious. He can redeem it. He can bring life out of death. Every event of our lives provides opportunity to learn the deepest lesson anyone can learn on earth, 'I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me' (Galatians 2:20). When our souls lie barren in a winter which seems hopeless and endless, God has not abandoned us. His work goes on. He asks our acceptance of the painful process and our trust that He will indeed give resurrection life."
-Elizabeth Elliot
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