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“There is a subtle but huge difference between Christianity viewed as something to do versus something to live.
– Todd Hunter in Giving Church Another Chance, page 45.
Living involves doing but one can do things for a variety of reasons (coercion, reward expectation, fear, hope), but one does not live something without embracing the concept and committing to the cause.
Posted in Quotes, Todd Hunter | Leave a Comment »
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“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” – 1st Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV)
The belief in the return of God, or a Messiah, is as old as history. The Jews called it the day of the Lord and said it will be a dreadful time (Mal 4:5). Isaiah called it the day of desolation (Isa 10:3), a day of judgment, vengeance, and wrath.
An editor said he could reduce the Bible down to four (4) sentences:
He came.
He went.
He’s coming back.
He won’t be happy when he gets here!
Other religious groups also have beliefs in a coming person to bring judgment to the earth.
The New Testament doesn’t dispute this, but it adds a wonderful detail – the one coming has a name, Jesus, who has delivered (note the past tense) us from the wrath (of God) to come.
The Bible says his return will cause distress to the nations (Revelation 6:16), but to those who are part of his secret society anyone can join, it will not be a distress but a joy! The one coming is not going to be our enemy, but our Savior and friend, who has already delivered us by his work on the cross!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Malachi 04, Revelation 06 | Leave a Comment »
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“…how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” – 1st Thessalonians 1:9b-10 (KJV)
We make being a believer much too complicated and here Paul reduces it to three verbs: Turn, Serve, and Wait – in that order.
Being a Christian is simply turning from idols (the things we value more than God), Serving the living and true God (not accomplishing great things for God, just simply serving Him), and waiting for Jesus to return.
Pretty simple.
Fritz
Posted in Experience | Leave a Comment »
