Is my Christianity merely language or is it truly LIFE?
Will you join me once again in my time machine? Let us go back to Calvary. We arrive and kneel at the Cross. Strangely the shouting and mocking of the hate-filled mob seems to have faded. It seems that there is no one there except Jesus, writhing in agony on the Cross, and us, trembling as we kneel at His nail pierced feet. Suddenly we hear something that is terrifying, bone-chilling. Jesus is saying something almost in an anguished scream. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). His disciples have forsaken Him and fled. Satan seizes this as his golden opportunity and with hordes of demons mocks and taunts and torments Him.
Did the Father hear His cry? Yes. Did He send Him an answer? No. Did He respond in any way? Yes. He turned completely away, abandoned Him and made Him a curse. Then God thundered down upon Him all the unrelenting punishment and judgment of Divine outrage and it did not stop until the holy wrath of the just God was fully satisfied.
When it’s over we get into our time machine again and shoot ahead, just a little, to Sunday morning.
The beauty of the morning is lost on us - - we are still filled with the horror of Friday. We check around. Now that is strange. The stone is rolled and the tomb is empty!!! Then - - - SOMEONE calls us. We turn, run to Him, fall at His feet and our hearts explode with joy.
We are silent on our way back to the present time, because we have so much to ponder. When we get here, we begin to discuss the astounding faith of the MAN Christ Jesus. He has conquered the devil, the flesh and the world. He is the Magnificent Victor, the Mighty Conqueror.
One thing we say that we are glad about is that Jesus will never again have to utter those terrible words about being forsaken. HOLD IT! Are we so sure? Have I never given Jesus cause to ask me why I had forsaken Him? To my shame and sorrow, yes, many times.
How can we do that? There are many ways - - just a few examples as a for instance.
(1) Someone speaks to me in a very disrespectful, rude, nasty manner. If I respond in the same manner, I am making that person my god to dictate my behaviour and become his servant to copy his behaviour, which I despise. To do this I would have to forsake Jesus and the love He wants to show that person. Only God knows the heartaches and burdens of that person. Do I forsake Jesus by the very words I speak? Where is the grace and the salt? (Colossians 4:6). Being reviled (1 Corinthians 4:12) we bless.
(2) I see a person or situation in need - - but I am very busy and I have “important” things to do. Will I forsake Jesus and (Luke 10:31-32) pass by on the other side?
(3) What about tithes and offerings? If it was the tithe under the Law it should be much more under grace. If not, because I think I can’t afford it, I am calling God a liar. He said (Matthew 6:33) seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added to you. Then again (Malachi 3:10) Bring all the tithes and I will pour out so much blessing you won’t have room for it. But I can refuse to believe God, I can forsake Jesus and serve my chosen god (Matthew 6:24) mammon.
There are many ways a Christian can forsake Jesus - - thoughts – words – attitudes – deeds – habits
(Matthew 16:24) refusing to deny self. The Cross speaks only of death. If I take up my cross it means death to self. If I don’t, it means death to the resurrection Life of Jesus within me.
Let this mind be in you (Philippians 2:5) which was also in Christ Jesus. When the will is surrendered to God (John 4:34) all liberty of choice is gone.
Wait a minute – no personal choice? Wouldn’t that be like a prison? Actually, it’s greater freedom than we could imagine. No responsibility to plan, figure out, strain to guess how it will turn out or even the results. If God makes the choice for us, it will be ordered by Perfect Wisdom, Limitless Power and Unfailing Love. God will always choose the very best for us and He already knows how it will end.
There is one word Satan never wants us to think about - - CONSEQUENCES. For every choice we make there are consequences. Remember Lot (Genesis 13:8-11)? He chose what he wanted and got what he deserved. Abraham let God choose and he got everything. Don’t forget that Jesus keeps the best wine for the last (John 2:10). Satan offers what appears to be the best wine at the first with luxurious offers of seductive allurement. If we forsake Jesus and foolishly believe the one who is a liar from the beginning (John 8:44) gradually we will discover (maybe too late) that what seemed to be “good wine” was actually toxic poison. Then the consequences march in to the beat of satanic laughter. Here’s a wonderful promise we can believe and experience (John 14:23), if we love and obey Jesus, He and the Father will make Their home in our hearts!!! (What could we ever gain by forsaking Jesus?)
Will I ever cause Jesus to say those terrible words again “My child, why have you forsaken Me”?
Is my Christianity merely language or is it truly LIFE?
Precious Lord Jesus, please - - - at any cost, never let me cause You to say those horrible words to me again.