a powerful message
June 23, 2009
READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The gospel of Christ . . . is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. —Romans 1:16
Bible teacher Lehman Strauss was brought to Christ through the power of the Word when he was young. At his girlfriend’s suggestion, he read Romans 3:23, 5:8, and 10:13. As he did, he was convicted of his sin. He wept and believed.
When his son Richard was 7 years old, he asked his father how to be saved. Lehman used the same verses that his girlfriend (who was now his wife) had used years earlier. His son believed too, and eventually became a pastor.
God’s Word has tremendous power! The first recorded time God spoke, He created light (Gen. 1:3). He spoke a promise to Abraham (17:15-19) and enabled his 90-year-old wife Sarah to bear a child (21:1-2). God still speaks with power today, and all who hear and believe the gospel are saved (Rom. 1:16).
Yes, the message of Christ and His saving work on the cross can change the direction of a person’s life. It has the power to reach the heart of that person you love and have prayed for many times.
So don’t give up in your witness. Be consistent in your daily walk. Keep praying and sharing the gospel with others. It’s a powerful message! — David C. Egner
Our words have power to influence; God’s words have power to save.
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Loading ...dying for life
June 23, 2009
READ: Hebrews 11:32-40
Others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection (v.35).
“Some men can’t be bullied or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.”
—Alfred the Butler Those words, from last summer’s mega-blockbuster movie The Dark Knight speak of motive. Like me, you may wonder what motivates real terrorists to strap on explosives and self-detonate—blowing up others in acts of terrorism that some call martyrdom.
The writer of Hebrews has a different take on what being a martyr (being killed because of your beliefs, not taking your own life) is all about. He writes of those who died for Christ: “These people earned a good reputation because of their faith” (Hebrews 11:39).
Why a good reputation? Because they refused “to turn from God” (v.35) and accepted death at their persecutors’ hands.
Jesus is the supreme example of a fixed faith that led to ultimate sacrifice. He remained silent and accepted the imminent horrors of crucifixion (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:63). His goal was life and victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Stephen, a follower of Jesus, spoke words of forgiveness and life even as he died a martyr (Acts 7:60)—imitating his Savior.
These examples define true martyrdom—selfless acts that lead to life. They don’t live to die—they die for life.
These words from Matthew Henry clarify the contrast: “Shall we be most amazed at the wickedness of human nature, that it is capable of such awful cruelties to fellow-creatures, or at the excellence of divine grace, that is able to bear up the faithful under such cruelties, and to carry them safely through all?”
To live and die for Jesus is all about life! —Tom Felten
How did Jesus both live and die for life? How can you daily surrender your life more fully to Him?
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