After celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter last Sunday, I continue to consider its implications. Jesus innocently bore the sin of the world to pay the death penalty for people’s wrongdoing. Then he conquered sin, Satan, and death when he rose again which enabled people to live rightly in harmony with God. All who trust Jesus to save them experience new, abundant life with God now and forever (John 3:16-21). That is glorious news! I am eternally grateful for Jesus’ love and salvation, therefore by his grace and power I want to live for him and others more so than myself.
What about you? Who do you live for? What tasks fill your agenda? How do you spend your time, talents, and treasure? What direction are you headed? When Jesus, God the Son, became a man and served on earth he preached a simple message, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). He earnestly called people then and he is calling people now to reconsider their lives in relation to him. The good news is that he is the holy one who has brought God to people and people to God (1 Timothy 2:5; Colossians 2:6-15). Repent means a change of mind which leads to a change of action. Believing involves hope, loyalty, trust, and obedience. People in first-century Israel expected a conquering savior who would bring political freedom, civil justice, peace, rest, and prosperity. Jesus was not what people expected. Instead of outwardly overthrowing the existing establishments of Roman rule, prideful religious leaders, and destructive personal behavior, Jesus became a servant who suffered to bring inward renewal by removing the spiritual barrier to God and his righteousness. By addressing the root cause of people’s self-centered waywardness, Jesus brought what matters most—true, lasting freedom, justice, peace, rest, and prosperity for people’s souls. So to break it down, to repent and believe is:
- To change your mind about the good news of who Jesus is, what he said and did, and why he came. He is your one and only loving savior (Acts 4:8-12).
- To abhor your sin because it dishonors God and it separates you from him and true life. It kills you (Romans 3:23-24, 6:23).
- To fully rely on God for forgiveness and for the power to love him and others before yourself (1 John 4:7-16).
Your concept of God determines your quality of life, your impact on others, and your destination for eternity. Given those high stakes, I have four probing questions to help you process where you are regarding Jesus. Note: Whether you are not yet a believer, a nominal Christian, or fully devoted to God I encourage you to keep asking questions, seek the truth, and desire a deeper and deeper relationship with God through Jesus. It’s your most important pursuit.
- Do you reject Jesus as the Son of God? Have you concluded that he was delusional, a deceiver, or irrelevant? If so, I encourage you to reconsider Jesus. Examine his sacrificial love, wise teaching, divine miracles, and resurrection. You can read the good news about Jesus in the Bible. Refer to the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. John is a great place to start.
- Do you welcome Jesus, but mainly because you seek his blessing more than himself? If so, I encourage you to find your greatest pleasure in pleasing him. Or perhaps you blame Jesus because you have suffered or he hasn’t blessed you? If so, I encourage you to ask God to heal your hurt and to give you his perspective on blessing. God’s primary blessing is Jesus himself. Despite the difficulty and suffering of currently living in a fallen world of broken people, seek to abide in Jesus and he will sustain you. In the process you will become like him and you will find your greatest fulfillment (John 15:1-11). Soon, in his perfect time, he will complete his blessing. He will gather believers to be with him, finish their glorious restoration, establish righteousness on earth, and renew all of creation (Revelation 19:11-21:8; 1 John 3:2).
- Do you acknowledge in your mind that Jesus is the Son of God, but fail to act on that by not placing your hope, loyalty, trust and obedience in him? If so, I encourage you to rely on God. Ask him and look to him to give you the desire, wisdom, and strength to live for him before yourself.
- Do you believe Jesus, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him? If so, I encourage you to keep going strong by his grace and power each day. He loves you, therefore, you love him and that is more than enough.
Conclusion
As I wrap up this note, I wanted to share with you excerpts from a Puritan prayer. I hope it helps you turn from your way to Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He has fought the battle you are fighting and has already won. As Jesus enables, trust him and live for him then teach others to do the same. That’s what Easter is all about. That’s what every day is all about.
Puritan Prayer from The Valley of Vision
“O Lord,
I am deeply convinced
of the evil and misery of a sinful state,
of the vanity of creatures,
but also of the sufficiency of Christ.When you would guide me I control myself,
When you would be sovereign I rule myself.
When you would take care of me I suffice myself.When I should depend on your providence I supply myself,
When I should submit to your providence I follow my will,
When I should study, love, honour, and trust you, I serve myself;
I fault and correct your laws to suit myself,
Instead of you I look to a man’s approbation, and am by nature an idolater.Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to You.
Convince me that I cannot be my own God, or make myself happy,
nor my own Christ to restore my joy,
nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, or rule me.”
Note: You might enjoy a couple of uplifting songs related to turning and trusting. The songs are “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle and “You’ve Already Won” by Shane & Shane