God's truth

God's Truth

excitement, joys, and future endeavors lie ahead in this world that is
not our own. But yet I am
left with these words from Paul who said "to live is Christ and to die
is gain" Either way the joy of
the Lord is my strength, not my fears, not my material possessions, not
my health, nor my athletic
ability. What is this strength? This strength comes from Christ who
transcends mere temporary
feelings, feelings that are as fickle and unpredictable as a raging
mob. "For we do not put our faith
in what we see but that which we do not see." "Faith is being sure of
what we hope for and
certain what we do not see." "For only fools believe in what they see."
And what is this joy that
is so prevalent for the Christian. This joy comes from a life that is
free from burdens, burdens of
guilt, anger, hopelessness, fear, and loneliness. Where does this joy
come from? It comes from
obeying God's Word out of sheer, personal desire which is embodied in
the form of perfect love.
You say but God's Law is nothing but a burden, an expectation too heavy
to fulfill. You are
right! If you view God's Word and the law from the world's perspective
then that is poetic
justice, for your sin becomes as clear as the morning dew. To a
Christian the law fulfilled by
Christ "changes a slave into a child and duty into choice." God's Law
is what he gives to reveal
his perfect character. But you say, the Law is neither loving nor
freeing, it is a tyrannical way to
rid humankind of its most treasured desires and pleasures. Desires?
Pleasures? Even if one's
desires are fulfilled and pleasure is attained "what good is it that a
man should gain the whole
world but forfeit his soul?" Desires and earthly pleasures are like a
rainbow when the rain stops,
it fades away. How freeing is a life that is governed by desires? Are
you not a slave to your
desires that can never be filled? Picture this: as a person lights up a
cigarette he satisfies his
craving for a brief period of time. But his tobacco craving is never
satisfied. Although he is
fulfilling his desire and his pleasure for tobacco, he experiences no
real freedom from this craving.
Take for instance one who has never smoked before. That person has no
desire, no craving for
tobacco and has no desires that need to be met from smoking. The
bondage of smoking has no
power over the nonsmoker. Just so, sin has no power over the Christian
because he is no longer
in bondage to it by the works of Christ. God's Word prevents us from
having burdens and desires
that become ceaseless. But you say, Christians and non Christian's
alike all have troubles, all go
through suffering, and all get hurt. Christianity is longsuffering. It
is not a mere product sold on
a infomercial that claims to solve all worldly problems. It is
definitely not a set of rules and a
checklist that one must accomplish to gain God's favor. Lastly, it is
not simply imitating a divine
being to find meaning in life. It is a relationship between a creator
and a creation. This
relationship is desperately sought out by the creator who demonstrates
his love in that "while we
were yet sinners Christ died for us". This relationship unlike worldly
relationships never fails.
Why? Because He never leaves us. We never go through life's trials
alone. Feelings like our worldly desires change. However, His Word, His
presence, His love are the same yesterday,
today, and forever. And this is my prayer, that you come to experience
and know the creator in
an intimate way. Why? Because in doing this you will make our joy
complete. My Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ bid you come to him and experience spiritual
freedom, abundant life, and a
loving father who will never forsake you, nor leave you. Remember this,
feelings fade but God's
Truth remains the same.