Continuing Michael’s message
on “perspective”, he writes that one way to get a donkey's attention is to hit
him with a two-by-four stud. Donkeys are notorious for their stubbornness.
Through the pain of trials, God gets our attention. Pain tells us that
we're in need of deliverance from it and it’s root cause. To resolve the
problem, we need to be like the crew of Apollo 13. They radioed their control
center, "Houston, we have a problem." The
solution to life's problems is Jesus Christ himself. The root of the
problem is sin. Sin literally means “to miss the mark”. When we miss
the mark, we hit a different mark, so it also means to cross the line of God's
righteous standard. We inherited our sin nature from Adam. In ourselves,
we're doomed to sin and death. However, Jesus Christ paid the debt of our
sin so that we could inherit eternal life in heaven. Even while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. For he who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on
our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Grace and mercy are all of
thee and none of me. Grace relieves our burden of sin by place our sin
upon Jesus on the Cross. For by grace are
ye saved through faith, and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God not of
works lest any man should boast. What do you need? Grace brings
us to understand that "All I need is thee God." Therefore, when
we're broken we can come to Him as David did. Even though he had committed
murder and adultery, David's confession was, "Against thee and thee only have I sinned. Create in me a
new heart O God."
In 2 Timothy 2 Paul exhorts Timothy that even though those with
foolish and ignorant speculation will question you, the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but be gentle unto
all men, apt to teach, and patient. Through the trials of life, the
question is, "Lord what are you teaching me through this
trial?" We'll learn humility through the trials of life. We will
learn to serve God by serving those whom he's called us to minister to. He's
teaching us that the blessing is "if
perhaps God will grant them repentance. And that they may recover themselves
out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
The purpose is that they can turn from themselves and unto God.
Our challenge is to see
ourselves, and those whom God has called, not according to our own worldly
perspective. Through trials He will teach us to see according to His
vantage point. Ephesians says that we are seated
in heavenly places in Christ. Through the eyes of Christ in us, God
will grant us the perspective to perceive the knowledge of the truth. It's
the love, grace, mercy and goodness of God that calls a man to repentance.
In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 the
Apostle Paul says, “I have fought a good
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love his appearing.” In the midst of the spiritual battle, when
we fight the good fight, we will catch a glimpse of His eternal
perspective. When we're wronged as the song says, "try a little
kindness." To fight the good fight Romans 12 says, "Recompense
to no man evil for evil. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with
good."
May we ever live to the praise
of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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