The Unhindered Word of God

Sometimes it's hard to see the fruits of the Word of God going forth to enable change. The Word of God continues to endure and prevail despite what we can see. It will not return without accomplishing its purpose.

The Point of the Good News. The point is the Kingdom of God and belief in the lordship of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom brings restoration and healing, and we see imagery of creation giving God praise. We look forward to a peaceable creation where these is no more war and famine. The "peaceable Kingdom" doesn't come through our effort or political negotiation, but through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what we believe and proclaim through our lives - the Lord is Jesus, not money, power of other spiritual forces. It is often difficult to proclaim the name of Christ given our heritage (slavery, Crusades, Inquisition) of Christians doing terrible things in the Name of Christ. But ultimately, we hold on to the reality that it is Christ is the only one Who can bring peace and healing and deliverance to this world.

The Power of the Good News. The power is that salvation comes to all of those who believe. There are no ethnic boundaries of the gospel, but it is available to all those who believe. The Word of God can bring life regardless of the circumstances, which is telling coming from Paul, who was in chained, shipwrecked, etc. The Word of God also warns those who reject, but God knows those who will believe. Jesus tells us in John that he knows his sheep and they know His voice. This is ultimately freeing, that we don't need to "convince" anyone, but just be faithful in witnessing as called. Only God had the power the change us from our rejection of Him, and only God has the power to change others.

The Paradox of the Good News. We see a paradox of time and power, Jesus Christ has ascended to power, but the reign is one that has not come in fullness. We believe that He is Lord over all, but not here in fullness. Our lives will advance the gospel, but the circumstances of our lives may not get easier. But what we have is the promise of His Spirit and faithfulness, and the assurance that our suffering (like Paul's) is not meaningless. As we struggle in this broken world and long for our Savior, we continue to wait with expectation and proclaim the Good News.

http://suburbanfamilyguy.blogspot.com

Created over 1 year ago