JESUS came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (Eph 2:17-20)
This Easter, our Canadian Government has created a very bad situation for almost everyone, except of course the rich. There is a lot of anger, fear, frustration across the entire country.
Jesus was born that we might live. Jesus was born that we might be born again. And our life is bound up in the scarlet cords of Calvary where He died for you and me. Some will scoff at this idea but Jesus provides a solution that no government or big business can ever take from us. In His own words, Jesus puts it like this:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are worked in God. (John 3:14-21)
And the Bible promises that
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
We can be FREE INDEED (John 8:36) by Him who lived and died for us to have what He calls “Life more abundant,” (John 10:10) and this abundance is not affected by the political or economic climate imposed upon us now. In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. The life he gives right now is abundantly rich and full. (John 10:10) It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of his overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance in all things.
Have you taken Christ’s offer of life? This is why Jesus died on the cross and why Jesus was resurrected to the same new life (2 Cor 5:17) that we may NOW have in Him.
Paul says it like this. He is trying to teach us that no matter what is happening, there is a response that will always bring glory to God.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:1-2)
The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from obstruction, but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. There is no one living who has any power that they have not received from God, and the source whence it comes is open to the weakest human being. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name,” said Jesus, “that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” {DA 667.4}
“In My name,” Christ bade His disciples pray. In Christ’s name His followers are to stand before God. Through the value of the sacrifice made for them, they are of value in the Lord’s sight. Because of the imputed righteousness of Christ they are accounted precious. For Christ’s sake the Lord pardons those that fear Him. He does not see in them the vileness of the sinner. He recognizes in them the likeness of His Son, in whom they believe. {DA 667.5}
Those who desire to preach the gospel even in troublous times like Canadians face today have the best solution available in the following promise:
By this shall all people know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.(Jo.13:35)
What a glorious message to put forth in times like these.
The Holy Spirit through Ezekiel has declared:
“I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them.” “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” “And I will make with them a covenant of peace.” “And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.” Ezekiel 34:23, Ezekiel 34:16, Ezekiel 34:25, Ezekiel 34:28.
{DA 476.3}
Because of the cross, the day will soon be here when we can echo the words from the prophet of old:
“And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen…they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.” (see Ezekiel 34:28, Jer 23:6)
The Promises Of “Easter”
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb 13:20-21)
These verses include two significant results of Christ’s death and resurrection. God works in us to make us the kind of people that would please him, and he equips us to do the kind of work that would please him. Let God change you from within and then use you to help others.
By this shall all people know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.(Jo.13:35)
When people love people; THEN Jesus will be seen.