"But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the simplicity due to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3 MKJV
When I spoke to my young charge the other night, she seemed surprised that 'coming to Christ' was so simple, so easily done. Acknowledging our sinful nature, the need for a Savior, the sacrifice of Jesus upon the Cross, confession of sin and repentance of sin. Simple and direct. As I have listened to her mother talk, the growing is already taking place. A desire, a hunger, and a need to understand this God.
A new believer's actions, as well as her words, declaring the acknowledgment of Divine redemption.
Matthew Henry said, "His love appointed this method of redemption, spared not his own Son, and brought believers to hear and embrace this salvation. It was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own Son, and freely to deliver him up."
I often think of Christ and what He went through on that wooden cross of Roman cruelty and human evil. How He suffered, not only upon that Cross with His hands and feet brutally nailed into the wood, but also in the Garden before hand, when the chain of events that carried Him to that road started moving quickly to conclusion. It still brings me to tears when I imagine what my Savior and King suffered to be my Savior.
But, because of a devotional from Worthy News the other morning, I realized that Jesus wasn't the only one to suffer in the course of events that brought redemption and restoration to those who would claim it.
God, the Father, suffered as well. He sent His Son, He turned away from Him when sin stained the pure soul of His begotten, and He showed His agony and sorrow as His Son died upon a creation's brutality.
"The light of the sun went out, and the curtain in the Temple was parted in two." Luke 23:45 BEB
"According to Jewish tradition, even to this day, when a son dies, his father tears his shirt as a sign of his agony and mourning." George of Worthy News Ministry points out, "Years ago, right when His Son Jesus died, His Father tore His veil."
But, even as I reflect upon a Father's pain upon the sacrifice of His Son, I feel a strong charge coming from Him in regards to the young woman who is now part of the family.
As I had told her that night, after we had prayed and talked about my faith, and the Heavens cried out with joy with another one redeemed, now there was no fear. Although we cannot know what the morning will bring, we know that in the end there is no loss but victory as Christ either comes for His faithful or we graduate early to a life with Abba.
Until that time, we are charged with knowing our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to whom all things that are good come from, all things that are redeemed are done through, and where peace and joy in the midst of this world can be found in abundant strength and availability. As I told her, you will never be lost again. God says so.
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB
The times are coming when Christians will have to take a more active and definitive stance for their faith and the God they hold allegiance to. And it falls upon the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and leaders of the Christian faith to keep everyone aware of the simplicity of Christ and the relationship with God. Not straying into false or new age thinking, but remaining true to what has come from God's own mouth.
"Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval. They equip God's servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 GWT
In the Lord's work, we cannot be opposed or overcome even when it seems that the world is winning in the cultural battle for the youth of our world. The McLaren's and other emergent leaders of the extreme ---where Christ is a footnote not understood instead of the only way to salvation--- are bringing the battle not to those mature enough to withstand the nuisance of words and the slippery tongue of deception, but to those who are the future of this world….our young.
Christianity is being redefined and encased within such hard theology and doctrine that even the hardiest of souls is tempted. "Well," some have told me, "There are some good things they are saying. You just have to dig and know your Bible." But how many Christians, especially the young, take that time to define themselves within the Kingdom and its knowledge before ingesting slight doctrinal shifts? Not many.
But, if the foundation is true….if the acknowledgment of Christ, as He Himself said, as the "Way, the Truth, and the Light. None can come to the Father but through Me," then there is still hope….even if it is masked and dampened by the false whispers of the postmodern universalist leaders of the popular movements.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
I don't know if I have made much sense today……these verses were put into my head and the urge to speak about them into my heart. So I write. There is something here for that one who needs it and I am confident that the True God, Abba God, will take that one to where He wishes them to go for understanding and discernment.
Though one battle was won upon the desolate landscape of this broken world, there are many more to be waged and this young charge to be protected and nurtured into 'adulthood' in the faith. Time is short and the night grows longer and longer…………
Let us fight, faithful and true, for the King!
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