Looking For Christ's Appearing
There is a very different attitude and reaction between the true believer in Christ, and the non-believer with regard to Christ's appearing. For the believer, it is a moment of great, and blessed meeting, an eternal transformation into the image of Christ, with His joy, peace, and love being fully known. For the unbeliever, it is a moment of mourning, of fear, of regret which will never end, for in that meeting will be the realization that the unbeliever chose wrongly, having believed the world and Satan's lies, only to arrive at a point of no return.
Living In The Expectation Of Christ's Coming
The believer in Christ who has a right attitude concerning the coming of the Lord is that one who is waiting for Him, looking for Him, desiring to see Him. In the moment of that meeting, a miracle will occur when the believer will be forever with the Lord, made perfect and without blemish. Best of all will be the fellowship or communion with Christ, the Father, and the Spirit. It will not be limited by sinful man's small faith, but will know and experience fulness of joy, Christ's joy.
The Unrelenting Commitment Of God
The truth that God is faithful expresses that He is absolutely committed to saving man and women, boys and girls. The cross was the proof of that commitment, for Jesus declared that He had finished the work that the Father had given Him to do, the work of redemption for all men. That which God has promised to be and to do will be realized, for He cannot and will not deny Himself.
The Subject Of All True Preaching
What is the true preacher to preach? It is Christ, His Person and His work. As to His Person, He is God come in the flesh to dwell among us, that we might see His Glory by His words, works, and will being done. As to His work of redemption, the cross declares the price and completeness of it. His resurrection confirms the power and effectiveness of it. "Christ is all and in all."
The Glorified Christ The Almighty God
What is our vision of the resurrected and enthroned Christ in heaven? Does this perception of Him correspond to the Biblical vision of Him? And why do we need to see Him as He is, seated in glory at the right hand of the Father? It is because He calls us to believe Him for the impossible, that which He alone can do in and through His church. Faith corresponds to the true vision of Christ.
How Big Is God
Can one measure God, or begin to truly grasp how great, holy, and good He is? It is only possible as one trusts the Spirit of God to reveal the things of God to us, always with great measure, as our capacity is so very small. However, He gives us a glimpse on this earth of the glory of God in order that faith should be strengthened to live in a manner that will honor Him. The experience of knowing God is measured by the vision of His greatness, and the empowering by the Spirit.
Following On To Know Christ
God is not known by just knowing the truth. It takes faith, obedient faith, which will step forward to follow Christ, in the will of God. It is somewhat like the moment when Israel was to cross the Jordan River, which was overflowing its banks. Not until the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant stepped down into the waters that the waters began to divide so that all could pass over. Faith involves commitment, obedience to the revealed will of God.
Confirmation By Fire
God has many ways of confirming that which is His will, His blessing, and His covenant. One of these ways is the use of fire. He used this to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. He used this to confirm to Abraham that his sacrifice was accepted before God. And He used fire, or the appearance of fire, to confirm His holy blessing, and power, upon the disciples at Pentecost. Our God also causes His word to burn in our hearts, confirming the reality of it, and its power to change our lives.
The Beginning Of A New Beginning
From a spiritual standpoint, where does a new beginning begin? It begins with faith in the faithfulness of God who promises to intervene in the life of the one who truly seeks Christ. All has already been provided so that the believer can know the reality of forgiveness and cleansing from sin, and the blessed gift of God's quickening by His Spirit. Twenty seconds is enough to begin again.
Studying Rightly The Scriptures
It is imperative to study the Scriptures, not just to read them. It is also imperative to trust the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, to reveal the things of God through the Scriptures. He is the great Teacher, faithful Teacher.