The Only Message We Have

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are undoubtedly living in unsettling times.  The world, as we observe it, seems to be churning out of control.  It is certainly understandable why unregenerate men and women would be anxious and fearful as they observe the purpose of our God in the plan of redemption for His people unfolding.

However, those whom our sovereign God has been pleased to save know that what appears to eyes of flesh to be out of control is not out of His control.  All things are under the absolute providential control of God our Father and all that comes to pass is in exact accordance with His eternal counsel, is ultimately for His glory and works for the good of His elect (Romans 8:28-30).

Holy writ abounds with scriptures that give the people of God confidence that our Lord Jesus is the all powerful, all glorious, supreme ruler of the universe.  Christ, the eternal Word of God created all things.  It is our mediator, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5) that is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3) and that is preparing to return to this earth to judge the quick and the dead (Acts 10:42).  It is our surety, the man Christ Jesus (Hebrews 7:22) to whom all power in heaven and earth has been given (Matthew 28:18).

Regenerate men and women have the God given right and responsibility to participate in government, call for justice and do everything in our power to protect the innocent and we are commanded to pray for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

It is also true that no matter how godless and reprehensible our government becomes we must never forget that there is no governing authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Romans 13:1-6) in order to accomplish His sovereign purpose which He has decreed from eternity past; His glory and the good of His people.

The people of God have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).  Our confidence is not in any leader, not in any government, not in any economic system.  Nor is our confidence in any religion.  The God of our salvation is our confidence (Psalm 65:5).

Paul wrote to the Philippians and exhorted them to let their conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ and to not be terrified of their adversaries (Philippians 1:27-28).

Paul also told them that God had given them two things in behalf of Christ; to believe on him and to suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29).  Don’t miss that.  It is God that bestows belief unto salvation (and that by grace Ephesians 2:8-9).  With that gift of belief inseparably comes the gift of suffering for the sake of Christ.

The Gospel is not about self-fulfillment.  The Gospel is about self-denial.  Christ is not what men need in order to make their lives complete and fulfilled.  Christ is who men need to raise them from spiritual death and bestow upon them spiritual life through the sovereign operation of His Holy Spirit.

When lost men see believers they should see something different in us.  It is not health, nor wealth, nor is it immunity from the difficulties from life that they will observe in us.  What they should observe is a confident, steadfast faith that our Lord is in control and that He is ever faithful and worthy of all our devotion and obedience, no matter what.

The statement that “Your life may be the only Bible some people ever see” may be true.  However, it is also true that your life will never save a single soul.  The life of Christ Jesus did not save a single soul.  It took the sacrificial, substitutionary death of the Son of God to pay for the sins of His people and to put those sins away forever.

May we be ever mindful that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16) and that the preaching of the cross is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

May God grant us grace, as he did to the apostle Paul (Acts 28:31) to do the two needful things and do them with all confidence that our He will accomplish His purpose:

• Preach the kingdom of  God
• Teach those things which concern our Lord Jesus Christ

The only message that we have for eternity bound men and women is “Christ Jesus, and him crucified”.  If that message doesn’t work, nothing will.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Greg Coleman                                                                                                                             August 6, 2012