Matthew 28:18
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
This is quite the statement. One must agree with C.S. Lewis that Jesus must be Lord, lunatic, or liar based on claims such as this.
Is Jesus now Chief Executive Officer of the universe? We Christians believe so. We believe there is nothing beyond His reach or control. Sometimes it’s hard to trust because of horrible things we see happen. But I whole-heartily agree with Anslem that “We believe in order to understand” and not the other way around.
It must start with the belief that this is so–that Jesus has been given all authority in the spiritual, as well as the physical, realm. Then, and only then, are you able to see clearly and to trust Him at His word.
Why then do bad things happen to those who believe? I’m not sure, since I’ve not been given the keys to all mysteries yet. But one aspect I do see is that if following Christ guaranteed no more problems, then wouldn’t most people follow Him for that reason and not out of pure love for Him alone?
Like marrying someone for their money or their physical beauty, thinking, hoping, you’ll always be comfortable. Is that what you really want? To be wedded for your physical provision? Or to be forever embraced because of who you are?
One thing following Christ does guarantee, is that He is always with you.
Is that enough?
Or do you need more?
You know how many times the Bible tells us to not fear? 365 I’m told. What an interesting number…
Proverbs 28:9
God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. If I won’t listen to God’s instruction, why should God listen to my petition?
We are no longer under the law, yet this is just how things work in God’s world. You don’t go to your boss asking for a raise when you don’t complete your work, you’re never on time, and you break rules that have been set in place. Ridiculous.
We are talking about blatant disregard of God’s ways here, not the fightings and failings of the flesh we encounter on a daily basis as imperfect beings. We are talking about ignoring God’s will in some area or areas of your life. You’ve made allowances, and have been deceived into believing it is OK to live with certain sins, and you are no longer fighting them. You’re living with them, allowing them to co-habitate with you. If you’re renting out a room of your house to a known criminal who commits armed robbery every nite, do not be surprised if people don’t want to come over for dinner or help you paint the bathroom.
This, I believe, is a very dangerous place to live–that hard heartedness described in the Bible of many people.