Is The Gospel of Christ Hidden?

There's a world around us that has never heard the gospel. Without salvation they are hopelessly lost for eternity. Satan, the god of this world, strives to keep them that way.

2 Corinthians 4:3,4  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them whch believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

The Light of Christ is powerful and special because it's the image of God. The Light of Christ is the Anointed One, The Messiah, The Savior and Redeemer, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.

Are we committed to allow the light of Christ to shine through us or will we keep it hidden?

As Surely As . . . .

As surely as the stars, planets, sun and moon declare the existence and power of God, nothing declares it more than a life redeemed by grace. Their walk, talk, act, and thoughts beam powerful testimonies to a dark world.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

To deny the power of God, one must rid the world of transformed lives and empty the pews and silence every testimony of grace.

Bill Gaither portrayed this grace in my favorite verse of his popular song Thanks To Calvary.

Then we went back to the house where we used to live

My little boy ran and hid behind the door

I said, "Son you don't have to be afraid.

Thanks to Calvary we don't live here anymore.

The Grace Of God And Redemptiion

Salvation is not merely changing your life to be like Jesus. First, God the Father must draw you to Jesus.

John 6:44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

God draws sinners to Jesus by opening their blinded eyes with the "Good News" of Christ dying for their sins and rising from the dead. As their hearts become covicted of sin, they either accept or reject the work of Jesus on the cross.

If you have been redeemed (saved) from the judgement of sin, it's because God in His grace, His mercy, and His love drew you to Jesus, and you believed in Him.

God doesn't force anyone to believe in Jesus. It's a personal decision that affects eternity-- Heaven or Hell. From start to finish, salvation is the work of the grace of God.

Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.

Caught Up

In the Majesty of His holy presence, Jesus will collect the "Redeemed of the ages" in the clouds.

1 Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I believe Jesus will return after seven years to judge the world.

I wonder, how will Fox News will report the "Catching Up" (rapture) and empty graves? Many don't believe it, but just as sure as God created Heaven and earth; and just as sure as the Red Sea stepped back, allowing 600,000+ Jews to walk through on dry land; the Rapture will happen because God said. I can't wait.

Have you been redeemed?

The Glory Within

As the cross of Calvary loomed large before Him, Jesus prayed to His Father for us who live in the future.

John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.

22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one:

Jesus was concerned that His people experience a spiritual unity that is like the oneness of the Father and the Son.

The person and work of Jesus and His glory is the basis for true Christian unity. All true believers have God's glory within.

As we grow in the Lord, the glory within begins to grow and to reveal itself in what we say and do and the way we say and do it.

If the lost world sees unity and love in Christians, they will believe God is love. Some will believe because of our witness.

Redeemed By Grace

One moment the sons of Jacob were standing before the Prime Minister of Egypt, and the next moment they are stunned that he is the brother they sold as a slave twenty-two years earlier.

Joseph could've made them pay for what they did. Instead, He reached out to them. "Come near to me," he said. Then he hugged each one. That's grace in action.

Jesus loved us from a cruel cross when we were unlovable. We were separated from God by a sea of sin, dead to Him, His Word, and His Gospel.

When we believe in Jesus He comes to where we are and accepts us as we are. He quickens our dead spirit and gives us eternal life. That is grace in action. That is being "saved".

Ephesians 2:4,5  But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

We should tell others.

Don't Be Troubled

Jesus knew his disciples were troubled. On the eve of Calvary He had told them of his approaching death, that one of them would betray Him, and even Peter would deny him three times before morning.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

God still calms troubled souls drowning in the turmoil of today's world. His heavenly peace can't be affected by events on earth.

When it seems that everything is falling apart, and you don't know which way to turn, find assurance in "Let not your heart be troubled". Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Helen H. Lemmel, 1922