One thing we've got to admit about the current crop of Muslims. They really believe what they believe. Death is considered part of the bargain when you enter Islam. Have you ever seen so many people willing to give away their lives?
Well, as a matter of fact, yes. Through the years the Christian Church has seen more of its people sent to an untimely death than any religion or people group on earth or in history. As many as seventy million may have paid the ultimate price for their faith.
Just dying, or just suffering, is not that to which God's people are called. But dying with Jesus. Remember the old song?
Dying with Jesus by death reckoned mine.Living with Jesus a new life Divine. Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.
Peter says that the mindset that says, "Jesus suffered, so must I," is a healthy one. It is the norm for us. We've lived enough in the flesh. We've had enough of this life. Let's lay it down and experience the new life.
This is where Islam falls so tragically short. When Muslims die they are sent to the prison where the dead wait for their judgment at the "resurrection of damnation." A blaze of pain and seconds of "glory", then that's it. When we die with and in Him, whether virtually now or in actuality later, we go to be with Jesus, our spirits free from these old bodies, and basking in the light of His Presence.
I remember the mental fight I had when I had to go in for a certain medical procedure. I'm a pretty cowardly guy in my natural man. I almost did not keep my appointment. But the benefits were there. The doc said I had to do it. And when I woke up, I knew it was all worth it. I felt great!
That's how it must be here. Entering into death on a regular basis, unafraid, knowing that Doc has prescribed these operations to bring us out perfect and happy on the other side. Arm yourself with that attitude, says Peter. Suffering and martyrdom and laying our lives down, it's our norm. Live with that mindset and life will certainly look different than it does now.
Lord willing, we'll be continuing our I Peter Bible Study tonight at the Chicago house meeting. We're in chapter 3, verses 13-17. Wish you could attend... The first verse, taken by itself, seems to be a blanket promise of harm-free living from now...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
It hit me again this morning. I was praying in preparation for our weekly Bible study. I'm supposed to be in I Peter, but my mind and heart were led over to the Book of Revelation. There's a curious truth hidden there that many Protestants need to...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Actually there are a number of reasons a man might not receive from God. Perhaps he is not praying in God's will. Perhaps he is harboring some grievous sin. But in the context of our weekly look at I Peter, we must point out that prayers can be...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Imagine being married to Abraham, ladies. Or any man who listens to God. What would it be like to be told one morning, "God spoke to me last night. We're to leave town immediately. Trouble is, I don't know where. We'll just start walking, and God...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Lord willing, a little later today I'll be heading over to the Mexicans' place for our weekly house meeting. Wish you could be there. I'm planning to talk about II Peter 2:18-25. It's all about how servants should treat their masters. Tough stuff...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
I believe in islam. Don't you? The word islam (small "i") means submission. Submission to God. In our case, submission to the God Who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We Christians believe that submission to God means submission to His...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Fridays are Vazquez nights. Every week for years these precious Mexicans have hosted a meeting in their inner-city Chicago apartment. We are anywhere from 5 to 25, but always international. The Mexicans, the "gringo" (me) and his Korean wife, some...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
