"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in (literally, "entrusts his life to") Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)
One of the most ominous signs I ever saw was at the famous Checkpoint Charlie border crossing in Berlin--- "You are now leaving the American Sector." When I crossed that barbed wired, concreted, automatic weapon-ed, guard tower-ed barrier, I was crossing into a "death" system. It was a Christless political and economic system which persecuted and imprisoned Believers in Jesus Christ, a system which did everything from the basic Marxian philosophy, "Religion is the opiate of the people." Yet this is exactly where the Obama Administration is taking America. He has denied America's roots in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures and apologizes for the very country which has kept "the world safe for democracy" for nearly 65 years. I shorten the quote of Santayana, "Those who forget the past are condemned...."------------------------- period!
No, this is not a pretext of our text. When our Lord Jesus speaks of, "death into life," He is not just speaking of salvation from sin and the fires of Hell, a solely going-to-Heaven Christianity. Jesus is not a compartmental savior. When Jesus spilled His Blood at the Cross, he took you and me "from death into life." And this "right of passage" is not just for individuals. By His Blood, and let me make this point perfectly clear, Jesus can take even nations "from death into life." Jesus sent us to "make disciples of all nations," not just individuals. People may attempt to put a Sunday-school-religion limitation on the Gospel all they wish, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is very political. "King of kings and Lord of lords," right?
I suggest that churches reevaluate their mission statements, because this is where history is headed-- "And the government (Hebrew, "empire,") will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor (Hebrew, "one who resolves"), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince (Hebrew, "captain, chief, general, governor, keeper, ruler") of peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom (I love this word, "Empire"), to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever." All individuals and nations who surrender to Jesus Christ and this Isaiah, "God-Breathed" Word shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." !!
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to believe for a new "reformation" in the Church which will bring transformation to the nations. Amen.
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* I am preaching this weekend in the CCE services
* You are not receiving good news if you don't go to:
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
