Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Thursday, 24 June 2021 05:36

Blessings of a Christian
by Terry Broome

Imagine that a baby was born in the Mammoth Cave. This child grew up knowing only the features of the cave life. His parents promised that when the child turned 18 years old he would be carried to the outside world. When the 18th birthday arrived, the youngster was reluctant to leave his home in the cave. However, upon further persuasion the young man entered the “new world” on a beautiful May morning. After observing the beautiful sunshine and seeing the lovely flowers, he exclaimed, “It is so much more beautiful than you told me.” If the alien sinner would only see the beauty and the power of the Christian life, one would not be so reluctant to become a Christian. That kind of life is so much more beautiful than we’ve learned how to tell them.

We can talk about spiritual blessings, but until a person experiences the riches of God’s grace, and the exceeding joy of forgiveness, how does one adequately convey what it feels like to be a Christian and to be saved. We draw verbal comparisons that are designed to help, but our words fall short of the marvelous “taste” that Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 2:3, “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” How can I describe to you the actual taste of my favorite dessert if you’ve never actually tasted it yourself?

Our descriptions are sufficient to arouse curiosity, and sometimes create a desire for the Lord, but the truth is that the partaker is in for a greater treat than he ever dreamed he could experience. There’s happiness in being a part of the family of God. Our task is to persuade people to become partakers of the divine nature: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet 1:4).

To any of our readers who are not Christians, Jesus has provided for us joy unspeakable and full of glory. “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” (1 Pet 1:8). It may be that some Christian has let you down by losing sight himself of the indescribable joy of being in Christ, but I plead with you to consider Jesus’ promises, and partake of these yourself. I’m convinced you’ll find it to be more beautiful than we could tell you. I encourage you to become a Christian at once. Time is not guaranteed tomorrow or the next day. We must redeem today. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph 5:15-17).

If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24); and are willing to confess Him before men (Matt. 10:32,33; Romans 10:9-10); if you are penitent over a life in sin and want to turn your back to sin (Luke 13:3,5); and if you are willing, in dying to sin, to be buried with Christ in baptism into His death (Romans 6:3-6) the Lord has promised you will be freed from your sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.