February 1st, 2010

"It is a travesty to say that Jesus Christ travailed in Redemption to make me a saint. Jesus Christ travailed in Redemption to redeem the whole world . . ." -Oswald Chambers

I've been rolling the same thought over in my head for days now, "Have we forgotten that all have been called?" We struggle too much with condemning others, we judge them, but Bonhoeffer would say that we have usurped God's jurisdiction when we do. Those which do not pursue God with unfailed passion have not made themselves enemies of the Cross, how could they when it is through the cross that they have been called friends. All are sheep, though many fall from the fold. (Matthew 18:11-13)

Let's put this another way: all are called, though few seek the Master's voice. Shepherds of old knew their sheep and their sheep knew them. It would be selfishness to think that I am the only one that hears the Shepherd's voice. Though their are few that recognize his voice and even fewer that seek his face, all who hear about him hear his voice.

Christ died that the whole world be redeemed, the tragedy is that most will not take up this redemption. They will not take up that easier yoke (Matthew 11:30).

1 Corinthians 1:17 (New International Version)
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

My calling is to preach the gospel, that is the calling of ALL Christians. First we are called to Redemption's side, but then, by the voice of that same Redeemer, we are called to preach. We must be both doers and speakers of the Word. If our actions are not matched by our words then is that life which seems so much worth living worth sharing? Men and women see your actions, they'll see love but if they do not hear about the Gospel then they'll never know WHY you love, why your cup is overflowing with the love of God. If your words are not matched by your actions, then are they so shallow and worthless that not even their speaker would employ them?

This is the wonderful nature of the Gospel, its compelling. When we are exposed to it, we are forced to make a decision, there is no building block system where we gather some outside opinions then deliberate for a time. NO! We decide what we think of it when we meet it. Sadly many choose to disregard it, even those that take kindly to it don't always become doers of the Word, but merely shallow hearted agree-ers. When we accept the Gospel and the call to salvation, to servitude, and put it to work in our lives we are automatically built into a new life. This life is too beautiful to not share. Why not just live like the heathen until you die? Because you don't understand the meaning of this Redemption, not if you're asking that question. True redemption is encountering true Truth (John 14:6). If someone rejects this initial introduction (which is common) there is still hope. You cannot scoff Truth and never expect to see it again. If you believe that you have successfully ignored Reality then you have, of course, entered into the unreal, imaginary life. Instead of accepting the God of love, the God that IS love (I John 4:8), you have made a dark and dismal god of whatever falsehood that you've tried to build into reality. You build your own casket, you lay down in it, and you begin to bury yourself.

I'm here to tell you that the God of redemption raises people from the dead, brings them out of darkness and into the light. There is life beyond a worthless casket, there is a kingdom of Glory that God reigns over. He has called us Sons, He has called us Daughters, He has called.

Recognize his voice, seek his face. Salvation awaits.