because I live ye shall live also

The Necessity for Christians to Know and Understand the Great Importance of Christ’s Death and Resurrection in Their Faith!

26 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a living being, a moral sense, a profound promise from Jesus, according to the riches of his grace, all blessings to impart, all glorious in the sky, all glory to his name, based on his successful sacricifce, because I live ye shall live also, believers share in Christ's resurrection victory over death, believest thou this, Christ is alive and kicking, Christ is at the right hand of God, Christ makes intercession for us, christianity, Christians, Christians are released from enslavement to sin from, divine wrath, everlasting life, exalted there on high, faith, fellowship, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn it, grants me daily breath, Gratitude as a way of life, he lives eternally to save, he lives to bless me with his love, he lives to plead for me above, he lives triumphant from the grave, he lives who once was dead, he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, he that believeth in me, holy spirit, I am the resurrection and the life, I know that my Redeemer lives, I will come again and receive you unto myself, I would have told you, if any man sin, if I go and prepare a place for you, if it were not so, in my Father's house are many mansions, in whom we have redemption through his blood, it assures eternal life, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ the righteous, Jesus is all we'll ever need, Jesus is our only mediator and defense advocate, Jesus pleads our case against accusations of sin, live a life worthy of Christ, LOVE, loves me to the end, mercy, my hungry soul to feed, my kind wise heavenly friend, my mansion to prepare, my Prophet Priest and King, my Saviour still the same, o death where is thy sting, o grave where is thy victory, offering undying praise and thanksgiving to God, redeemed by the shed blood of Christ, salvation, Samuel Medley, seated in a position of authority, securing our standing, spiritual communion with God, stand at last on the earth, thanks be to God who gives us the victory, that ye sin not, the BIBLE, the forgiveness of sins, the only way to repay a little of what we owe Him, the Redeemer is more than a spiritual concept, the sting of death is sin, the strength of sin is the law, the sweet joy this sentence gives, the world through him might be saved, these things I write unto you, though he were dead yet shall he live, tidbits of scripture, time to gather in the Lord's sanctuary, to bring me safely there, to calm my troubled heart, to comfort me when faint, to guide me with his eye, to hear my soul's complaint, to help in time of need, to silence all my fears, to wipe away my tears, truth, we have an advocate with the Father, what comfort this sweet sentence gives, where I am there ye may be also, while he lives I'll sing, whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, wisdom

Job 19:25. ‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day (at last) upon the earth.’

Another sunny Sunday has come upon us my faithful brethren, meaning it’s time for us to gather in the Lord’s sanctuary for fellowship with each other, while offering true and undying praise and thanksgiving to our mighty God Jehovah; the One who created the earth and all therein! And we offer our gratitude and praise because of all that He’s done for us from day one, all down through the ages, what He’s doing now, and what he’s faithfully promised to do in the future.

And with all of that in mind, let’s offer up our song of worship for today, one appropriately titled; ‘I know that My Redeemer Lives.’ And do we ever know that with all surety, because our Saviour Jesus Christ is indeed alive; alive and kicking! The song is an English Christian hymn written in 1775, specifically for Easter, by British born Samuel Medley (1738-1799), who, after having a succession of jobs eventually became a Baptist Pastor in 1767. So, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a tender, soulful but heartfelt version of the song, so that anyone who hears us singing it will know that we truly believe what we’re singing.

As one voice: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; he lives, my ever-living head! He lives triumphant from the grave; he lives eternally to save; he lives all-glorious in the sky; he lives exalted there on high. He lives to bless me with his LOVE; he lives to plead for me above; he lives my hungry soul to feed; he lives to help in time of need. He lives to grant me rich supply; he lives to guide me with his eye; he lives to comfort me when faint; he lives to hear my soul’s complaint. He lives to silence all my fears; he lives to wipe away my tears; he lives to calm my troubled heart; he lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend; he lives and LOVES me to the end; he lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing; he lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King. He lives and grants me daily breath; he lives, and I shall conquer death; he lives my mansion to prepare; he lives to bring me safely there. He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same. Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives! He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same. Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!’

Oh friends, that was wonderful! The song is chocked full of so many tidbits of scripture that we will never be able to share them all, so we’ll do as many as time and space affords us. And we’ll begin with that famous verse from the lips of Job when he was suffering the uncalled for admonition of his friends. He confidently said to them: ‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day (at last) upon the earth.’ (Job 19:25) And this commentary explains that verse thus; ‘That my Redeemer lives: Job knew that his Redeemer was alive, and that because He lived, He could also bring life to Job. And shall stand at last on the earth: This meant that Job knew his Redeemer was more than a spiritual concept; He was a living being who could stand at last on the earth.’

And we surely know that because our Redeemer Jesus Christ is very much alive because He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. As the song says: ‘He lives triumphant from the grave; he lives eternally to save;’ It’s like Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John. 3:17) Then, as Jesus said to Martha, before raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die), yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’ (John 11:24-26)

Yes my fellow believers, Jesus’ death and resurrection did wonderful things for us, as Bruh Paul wrote to the Ephesians: ‘In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ (Eph. 1:7) We were redeemed by the shed blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary. And as the scholars tell us: ‘Redemption referred to the release of a slave or captive upon receipt of ransom. But the following words, the forgiveness of sins, show “redemption” is used here in a moral sense. Christians are therefore released from their enslavement to sin and the resulting divine wrath.’

And per ‘he lives, and I shall conquer death;’ Jesus said it to the disciples. ‘Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye also shall live.’ (John 14:19) What wonderful news my brethren! As this overview says: ‘It’s a profound promise from Jesus, signifying that believers share in His resurrection victory over death. It assures eternal life, spiritual communion with God, and comfort, confirming that Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for followers to have everlasting life.’ That leads us to Bruh Paul saying to the Corinthians: ‘O Death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:55-57)

Then, what about this line of the song, ‘he lives to plead for me above?’ Oh yes, Bruh Paul tells it thus to the Romans: ‘Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.’ (Rom. 8:34) And here’s how this commentary explains that verse: ‘Jesus is indeed interceding. Jesus is actively interceding for believers at the right hand of God, serving as the only mediator and defense advocate. Seated in a position of authority, He pleads our case against accusations of sin, securing our standing based on his successful sacrifice and righteousness.’ And John in his first epistle also identifies Christ as advocating for us on high, when he writes: ‘My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ (1 John 2:1)

And we’ll end with this last tidbit from the song: ‘he lives my mansion to prepare.’ And Jesus Himself promised that to the disciples, and consequently to us. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:2-3)

Wow! It could not get any better than that my bredrin! So, let’s pay serious attention to all that Jesus has done for us, and truly believe, and live a life worthwhile of His many sacrifices. That’s the only way to repay a little of what we owe Him! Much LOVE!

…Jesus is all we’ll ever need…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Dire Necessity for Christians to Rise Up and Show the World the Light of Jesus Burning Brightly in Them!

19 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a candle in every soul, a family whose hearts are blazing, a man sent from god, a spirit who brings fire, active evangelism, and the life was the light of men, because I live ye shall live also, believe in whom they have not heard, bridging the gap between hearing and belief, bring glad tidings of good things, call on him in whom they have not believed, carry your candle, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, Christ's resurrection victory, Christ's victory over death, christianity, Christians, Christopher Rice, compassion, critical times, ensures believers, faith, faith cometh by hearing, fiendishly destroyed by the devil, glorify your Father which is in heaven, Go light your world, guarantees believers own spiritual and eternal life, have the light of life, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, hear without a preacher, hearing by the word of God, hold out your candle for all to see, hold out yout candle for all to see, holy spirit, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, how shall they preach except they be sent, I am the light of the world, ignites a candle and makes His home, in him was life, in the name of Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus embodies all that spiritual light is and does, Jesus needs our help to bring others to his fold, Jesus power persuades us to do good, Jesus teachings and example illuminate our path, Jesus' selfless sacrifice on our behalf, John the Baptist, Kathy Troccoli, Let your light so shine before men, lighteth every man that comes into the world, lost to eternal separation, LOVE, make Jesus proud of us, make us a beacon in darkest times, mercy, offers hope and comfort, our world is falling apart, patience, peace, praying to our Father, raise our candles and light up the sky, rising up with our candles blazing, run to the darkness, seek out the helpless confused and torn, seek out the hopeless deceived and poor, some burning brightly, some dark and cold, spread Jesus system of salvation and eternal life, spread the good news of Christ's gospel, stop shirking our responsibilities, suffer injustice, sweet sacrifices of praise, take your candle go light your world, Thank you Jesus, that all men through him might believe, the BIBLE, the bowels of death, the darkness comprehended it not, the light shineth in the darkness, the second Sunday of Easter, the source of light that quickens our understanding, the true light, they may see your good works, those connected to Christ will share in His victory over death, to bear witness of the Light, to make God's revelation universally availble, truth, we have failed on the job, wisdom

Matthew 5:16. ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’

And we’ve come to the second Sunday of Easter, that season when we celebrate the awesome resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus from the bowels of death! And since He made this profound promise: ‘because I live, ye shall live also,’ (John 14:19b) we believe that resurrection will also be in our future. And as this overview explains: ‘That promise ensures believers that His resurrection victory over death guarantees their own spiritual and eternal life. It offers hope and comfort, signifying that because He conquered the grave, those connected to Him will share in that victory.’ And all Christians joyfully shouted: ‘Thank You Jesus!’

But my fellow believers, although it’s good to give Jesus thanks and praise for His selfless sacrifices on our behalf, He also needs our help to bring others to His fold, so that they won’t be lost to eternal separation. And today’s song of worship is a song that encourages us to do just that. It’s one written by Christopher Rice in 2004, titled ‘Go Light Your World,’ and made popular by singer Kathy Troccoli. So, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, sincere and heartfelt mid-tempo version of the song.

Singing: ‘There is a candle in every soul Some brightly burning, some dark and cold There is a Spirit who brings a fire Ignites a candle and makes His home. (Chorus: So carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the helpless, confused and torn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world Take your candle, and go light your world.) Frustrated brother, see how he’s tried to Light his own candle some other way See now your sister, she’s been robbed and lied to Still holds a candle without a flame

(Chorus:…Carry your candle…) ‘Cause we are a family whose hearts are blazing So let’s raise our candles and light up the sky Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus Make us a beacon in darkest times. (Chorus: So carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hopeless, deceived and poor Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world… Repeat… Take your candle, and go light your world…Take your candle, and go light your world.’

Oh friends, that is exactly what we need to do in these critical times, where our world seems to be falling apart, being fiendishly destroyed by the devil and his evil cohorts. Jesus left us here to show peace and LOVE, compassion and patience to those in need and spread His marvellous system of salvation and eternal life. In other words, to spread the good news of His gospel all around the globe. But unfortunately, we have done a rather poor job of it, and consequently the devil and his evil buddies are now running things, while we stand aside, watch and suffer the injustice of their rule.

However, if we read the beginning of John’s gospel, we’ll see where he refers to Jesus thus: ‘In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (John the Baptist). The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ (John 1:4-9)

That means John the Baptist was sent to inform mankind about Jesus, the true Light of the world, who makes God’s revelation universally available to all men. And Jesus attested to that fact when He declared: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) And this commentary further explains: ‘Jesus is called the light of the world ‘because he is the source of the light that quickens our understanding, because his teachings and his example illuminate our path, and because his power persuades us to do good.’

So, as the song tells us, in each human soul there’s a candle, and when we receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and lights the candle in us, with the expectation that we will go forth and shine it in the darkness, like a family whose hearts are blazing for Jesus, so others can see His light, and come to know and LOVE Him like we do. But sadly, too many of us have failed on the job, by not taking our brightly shining candle and going out into the darkness seeking the lost, helpless, confused and torn. That therefore left a lot of others trying to light their own candle in some other unsuccessful way and consequently being ill-treated and shamed.

But thankfully all is not lost, we still have the wonderful option to pray to our heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus to make us a beacon in these darkest of times, so, as the chorus says, we can carry our candles, run to the darkness, seek out the hopeless, deceived and poor. Yes friends, we need to bravely and boldly hold out our candles for all to see, so that we can light up this dark and evil world. Light it up with the light of Jesus, that brings, peace, LOVE, forgiveness, salvation and eternal light to those who accept His wonderful offer.

But many don’t know Jesus, and will only know Him through us, that’s why we need to get out there and spread the word. It’s like Bruh Paul says in his letter to the Romans. ‘How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Rom. 10:14 –17)

And this commentary explains that passage of scripture thus. ‘It highlights that people cannot believe in the Gospel if they have not heard it, and they cannot hear it unless it is shared by others. This necessitates active evangelism, where believers are sent to proclaim the message, bridging the gap between hearing and belief.’ That’s quite true, but we don’t all have to go afar to spread the gospel for there are many unbelievers right in our communities who can benefit from our sharing the gospel, or as Jesus said : ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:16)

And that’s the crux of our current situation my fellow believers; not enough of us are doing what Jesus desires of us. So please, our world is deteriorating at an enormous speed, and we are the only ones able to slow it down, so let’s stop shirking our responsibilities, and instead, make Jesus proud of us, by rising up, with our candles blazing, and get out there as one big family and shine those candles in the darkness of this evil and ungodly world! Much LOVE!

…“Jesus is the light of life and the life of light…He embodies all that we know spiritual light is and does…”

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Overwhelming Importance of Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection in the Christian Faith!

15 Mar 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a blade of grass sprouting from the rubble, a little while and the world sees me no more, a strong will to live, a symbol of how God works, accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, all fear is gone, an empty grave is there, an inconvenience, as death gives way to victory, because He lives, because I live ye shall live also, because Jesus was resurrected we will also be resurrected, being justified by his blood, Bill and Gloria Gaither, but ye see me, by the death of his Son, Christ holds our future steadfastly in his hands, christianity, Christians, drug abuse, face uncertain days with faith and trust, faith, feel pride and joyful assurance in our Christian faith, feel the pride and joy he gives, fight life's final war with pain, free love, fulfilling its destiny, God sent His Son Jesus, going to church is a privilege, going to church is not a burden, he came to love heal and forgive, he holds my future, he lived and died to buy my pardon, heartfelt sincerity, hippies, holy spirit, hope shaped by the resurrection of Jesus, I can face to morrow, I will come to you, I will not leave you comfortless, i'll know he lives, if we don't use that freedom to worship we'll lose it, Jesus came to save, Jesus Christ, Jesus' resurrection guarantees our own eternal and spiritual life, life is worth living, LOVE, mercy, mere talkers, mononucleosis, negative situations, one day I'll cross the river, overcome all the odds, persevered in faith, racial tension, reconciled to God, salvation, saved by his life, saved from wrath through him, see the lights of glory, separate the goats from the sheep, serious believers, severe punishment for worshipping God, shift in values, sweet sacrifices of praise, the BIBLE, the death of Christ and his shed blood efffect salvation, the life of christ sustains salvation, the Lord's Day, the privilege to worship in freedom, to give new life, to prove my Saviour lives, to reach the sunshine of the world above, truth, when we were enemies, will not leave you as orphans, wisdom

John 14:19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

And then it was Sunday! ‘Another one,’ you mutter. Yes my fellow believers, it’s only one in the many more we have to face, meaning we’ll be gathering with other believers for many more Sundays to celebrate the Lord’s Day with praise, thanksgiving and worship, while receiving strength and confidence to face the upcoming week. And nothing compares to the good times that believers experience when they come together in worship. (smile)

So, although it’s sometimes an inconvenience to get up and go to church on a Sunday, let’s not look at it as a burden, but rather as a privilege, where we can worship in freedom, for many others in several places are not allowed to worship in private, much less in public like us. Many believers in several countries around the world would face severe punishment if caught worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

And although things are becoming more ungodly every day, and some are trying to stymie us, we still possess the right and freedom to worship, and if we don’t use it, we will eventually lose it. So there again it’s to our benefit to gather with other believers to worship and praise Almighty God every Sunday, or as often as we can.

Now today we have a fairly modern song as our song of worship. It’s titled ‘Because He Lives,’ and was written in the early 1970’s by Bill and Gloria Gaither, who were going through a tough time facing the big shift in values of the 60’s, with hippies, free love, drug abuse and racial tension amongst them. Then in the severe Indiana winter of 1969, while Gloria and some other church members were facing false accusations and belittlement from their congregation, Bill contracted mononucleosis and Gloria discovered she was pregnant.

And though that was wonderful news, there obviously was some concern about bringing a baby into that chaotic time with all its negative situations. But in faith they persevered. And the story goes that ‘One sunny day in the early spring, Bill, Gloria and Bill’s father George walked across the paved parking lot at their small A-frame offices. George called Bill and Gloria’s attention to a spot they had not noticed. He pointed out a tiny blade of grass that had pushed aside layers of dirt, rock and concrete to reach the sunshine of the world above.

It had such a strong will to live; it had overcome all the odds to fulfill its destiny. That blade of grass became a symbol to the Gaithers of how God works in His creation. And it inspired Gloria to write a song expressing the hope that was shaped by the resurrection of Jesus, as well as that blade of grass and the birth of her son.’

And now, having some idea of the circumstances around the song’s creation, let’s offer it up with sweet sacrifices of praise in a soulful, mid-tempo version chocked full of heartfelt sincerity, opening with the ‘(Chorus: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds my future And life is worth the living Just because He lives.) (Repeat) God sent His son they called Him, Jesus He came to LOVE, heal and forgive He lived and died to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. (Chorus)

How sweet to hold a newborn baby And feel the pride and joy he gives But greater still that calm assurance This child can face uncertain days because He lives And then one day I’ll cross the river I’ll fight life’s final war with pain And then, as death gives way to vict’ry I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know He holds my future And life is worth the living Just because He lives And life is worth the living Just because He lives And life is worth the living Just because He lives.’

Yes my faithful brethren, life is certainly worth living because Christ lives! It means that because He was resurrected from the grave, the same thing will happen to us when we accept Him as Lord and Saviour. Jesus Himself said it to the disciples when talking to them about the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, coming to dwell in them after He goes away. ‘I will not leave you comfortless (as orphans): I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.’ (John 14:18-19)

There Jesus assures them that His resurrection guarantees their own eternal and spiritual life. What can be better than that eh? Absolutely nothing! And what does Bruh Paul say about that situation in Romans? ‘Much more then, being (having been) now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being (having been) reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.’ (Rom. 5:9-10)

And per the scholars: ‘By his blood … by his life: The death of Christ and His shed blood effect salvation, but the life of Christ sustains it. The reference is to the abiding results of Jesus’ death and resurrection.’ Then, because Jesus is alive and kicking, we can be assured that it’s fine to bring more children into the world, because in the calm of Jesus and His life, that baby can also face uncertain days with faith and trust.

And what about that tiny blade of grass, that the Gaithers saw pushing up through layers of dirt, rock and concrete to reach the sunshine of the world above eh? It proved that it had a very strong will to live, to fulfill its destiny. Now are we like that tiny blade of grass? Do we have that strong, never say die will to live for and with Christ? We certainly ought to, after all the sacrifices He made to purchase our freedom and reconcile us back to our heavenly Father. That’s where they separate the goats from the sheep, where they see who are serious believers, from those who are mere talkers and jokers.

So, let’s remember today, and every day to come, that because Christ lives, we can face tomorrow without fear or worry, for He holds our future steadfastly in His hands, therefore we can feel pride and joyful assurance in our Christian faith like no others can! Much LOVE!

…Jesus came to save…to give us new life…and that’s exactly what He did…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 March 2022 John 14:15.

01 Mar 2022 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: because I live ye shall live also, become more involved with Christ, Christ is the Good Shepherd, give God thanks, have life more abundantly, I am come that they might have life, I am the beloved of god, I will come to you, I will not leave you comfortless, if you love me keep my commandments, LOVE, make Christ our Number One priority, New Year's resolution, share His love with the world, sufferation, that I may know him, the Holy Spirit, the power of his resurrection, the thief comes only to steal and destroy, trust my friend Jesus, Tuesday Mantra

John 14:15. If you LOVE me, keep my commandments.

Oh my people, please give our great and wonderful God much thanks and praise for getting us safely and successfully through Monday, the most difficult day of the week! That means the rest of the week will be easy, comparatively speaking. (smile) And don’t forget thanks also for allowing us to see a brand new day, Tuesday, and a brand new month, March. Can you believe that we’ve already gone through two months of this new and rather confusing and turbulent year of 2022?

The question that now remains to be asked is if we have kept pace with our New Year’s resolution, that of becoming more involved with our wonderful Lord and Saviour Christ, if He’s become a greater priority in our lives…in fact the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY! Yes friends, I hope the answer is a resounding ‘YES!’ That’s because until He becomes our very reason for living, we will never completely enjoy the abundant life that he died for us to have!

Now, we all know the definitive scripture found in John 10:10, where Jesus summarily declares: ‘The thief cometh not, but (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ And what does that mean eh? Simply what He says; that unlike the deceitful and destructive enemy, He came to earth to save us, both physically and spiritually, so that we could enjoy our earthly lives as well as look forward to one in eternity with Him.

But we need to believe Him and live exclusively for Him, be His sheep, His dedicated followers, because He is the Good Shepherd and looks after His sheep like no other shepherd, including dying for them. As He said later on: ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck (snatch) them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.’ (John 10:27-30)

Ah my people, like the scholars say, that gives us the divine ‘assurance that all believers will be utterly safe from any creature that might wish to destroy them.’ And does any other supposed god or deity give us such assurance eh? No way! How can they when they are dead idols and images? However, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calvary for us, then rose again from the dead to live forever, so that we also can live forever…if we live for Him.

Please note His words when He spoke to the disciples re His leaving and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, our future Comforter. ‘I will not leave you comfortless (orphans): I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.’ ( John 14:18-20) Oh friends, further assurance that those who believe in Christ are safe and secure in Him, and Christ is safe and secure in the Father! Wow!

No wonder Bruh Paul could write to the church at Rome with overwhelming confidence: ‘For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being (having been) reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation).’ (Rom. 5:10-11) That is thoroughly logical. If we were reconciled to God by Christ’s death, then why shouldn’t we enjoy all that He is through His resurrected life? No reason whatsoever!

And in his second missive to the church at Corinth, Bruh Paul put it this way: ‘Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body…Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you…’ (2 Cor. 4:10, 14)

And he felt the need to be so much like Christ, that to the church at Philippi, he wrote: ‘That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comfortable unto his death.’ (Phil. 3:10) Now that is what you call real longing for Christ and to be like Him. And the scholars say that verse can be paraphrased thus: ‘In order that I may personally know Him, that I might both experience His resurrection power and share His sufferings, and thus I will be more conformed to His death.’

Oh my fellow saints, that’s what we all should be after! And I know that we don’t want to necessarily experience the sufferings of Christ, and most of us won’t experience the ‘sufferation’ He was forced to endure for our sake, but we can all enjoy the power of His resurrection if we stay faithful to Him. And if we do, He’s promised never to leave us alone, to send the Holy Spirit to comfort and lead and guide us, then, when the time is right, He will come back and take us unto Himself!

And one of the many the wonderful things about Jesus, is that He puts His requirements so simply and clearly. Listen to this one that truly covers everything. ‘If you LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15) Now how can it get any clearer or simpler than that eh mih bredrin? It just couldn’t! And that’s why those of us who are sincerely trying to live for Jesus can boldly and confidently go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.

As one voice now: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’

So, let’s go out now and do just that nuh, share Jesus’ amazing LOVE and friendship with those who don’t Him, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him, like we do! Much LOVE!

…simply living for Jesus…that’s what this life is all about…

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8

SCRIP-BITS

The Overwhelming Importance of Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection in the Christian Faith!

Pages

Categories

Archives