NO LAUGHING
MATER!
Titus
3:3-8
(8-22-04)
TIT 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has
appeared….
Jesus has come and he brought salvation but when He comes
again it will be for a different purpose – judgment. When Jesus came the 1st time he came with humility, He comes again in exaltation and glory. He came alone to carryout the Fathers and His plan to
die without the Father. He comes again at the Fathers command with finality and a multitude to meter out their wrath. He came
and He comes!
There is so much I do not yet understand about this great
book called ‘The Word of God’, The Bible. Like David I two declare – ‘ your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path’! (see Ps.119 for all the ‘your word’ uses. (verse 105 quoted)) I desire for myself,
and for you as well, to comprehend with all the saints this great and dire message of hope and damnation. My desire is to
know what they have known in the way that they understood with such live transforming power. Paul tells us through His letter
to the Corinthians that the kingdom of God
is not a matter of talk but power. (1Cor.4:20)
Paul voices a prayer that he is praying for the church
of Ephesus that they might receive power to grasp how wide and long and high and
deep is the love of Christ. Pray that prayer for us too Paul, for us too! (Eph.3:16-21) I don’t know about you but I
at times feel powerless to make a difference in the life struggles of those around me whom I suffer
with in their various adversities. What did you know and through that knowing comprehend and in comprehending so walk accordingly
Paul that I do not yet grasp. Lord I feel at times that we have lost the pathways of old. Lord Jesus what would you have us
to do?
This lesson is entitled ‘No Laughing Mater’,
What is not laughable is the cloud of deception that satan (no capital letter intended) holds over the world. Humanity is
so pacified with the pleasures of this world and so completely deceived that they do not even know they are dying and that
for ever. And in their ignorance, they don’t even care. What seems even worse to me is that with all I know, I haven’t
the power to make a difference in any of their lives. (or at least so it seems)
How, good friends, do we gain an entrance into the lives
of these people around us and illuminate their lives in such a way as to fold back the cloud that holds them captive in the
darkness. Lord Jesus, in your mercy teach us how to bring liberty. What are we lacking Lord that prevents us from being effective
in service to you and your kingdom. What are we hanging on to that hinders our pure and profitable service to you? Grants
us the strength to let go. (break my fingers if need be, Lord) Enlighten us this day Oh Lord that we too may know how to walk
before you so that our service to you might bring you glory and honor and praise.
Jesus did come with salvation surging forth in His wake.
He did not come and only live without sin, he came doing much good. We are called to not only choose to not sin but to also
choose to do much good. What if Jesus would have only lived sinlessly and done no good thing? Would he have attracted the
world to himself like a magnet? Can we expect any different. Lord teach us what we need
to know about ourselves and help us to let go and let you have control.
