“The precious blood of Christ.”

Standing at the foot of the cross, we see hands, and feet, and side, all distilling crimson streams of precious blood. It is “precious” because of its redeeming and atoning efficacy. By it the sins of Christ’s people are atoned for; they are redeemed from under the law; they are reconciled to God, made one with him. Christ’s blood is also “precious” in its cleansing power; it “cleanseth from all sin.” “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Through Jesus’ blood there is not a spot left upon any believer, no wrinkle nor any such thing remains. O precious blood, which makes us clean, removing the stains of abundant iniquity, and permitting us to stand accepted in the Beloved, notwithstanding the many ways in which we have rebelled against our God. The blood of Christ is likewise “precious” in its preserving power. We are safe from the destroying angel under the sprinkled blood. Remember it is God’s seeing the blood which is the true reason for our being spared. Here is comfort for us when the eye of faith is dim, for God’s eye is still the same. The blood of Christ is “precious” also in its sanctifying influence. The same blood which justifies by taking away sin, does in its after-action, quicken the new nature and lead it onward to subdue sin and to follow out the commands of God. There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Jesus. And “precious,” unspeakably precious, is this blood, because it has an overcoming power. It is written, “They overcame through the blood of the Lamb.” How could they do otherwise? He who fights with the precious blood of Jesus, fights with a weapon which cannot know defeat. The blood of Jesus! sin dies at its presence, death ceases to be death: heaven’s gates are opened. The blood of Jesus! we shall march on, conquering and to conquer, so long as we can trust its power!

Christ Living in Us - We in Him.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal_2:20)

In these sublime words, we are given profound insight concerning the grace of God at work through our intimate relationship with Christ. This majestic statement begins with our spiritual death, that another might live in and through our lives. Finally, we are told how we are to respond, so this divine arrangement can proceed as intended.
First, our spiritual death is in view. "I have been crucified with Christ." If we are believers in the Lord Jesus, we died with Him upon that cross. The cross of Christ is now our testimony of rejoicing, for by that cross we escaped the dead world of unredeemed humanity.

"But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal_6:14). Although the cross is the end of our old life in Adam, that is not the end of our story. "Even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) " (Eph_2:5).

By His grace, we were raised with Christ. We died with Him, that we now might live with Him. "Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him" (Rom_6:8).

The astounding consequence of these truths is that we are not the ones producing our Christian life. "It is no longer I who live." This reality is radically contrary to man's natural thinking. If we are not to manufacture our life with God, what other option could possibly be available? The wonderful answer is: "Christ lives in me." True Christian living is to be Christ living in and through our lives. How can this be accomplished? We still have an ongoing human experience in flesh and bones bodies: "the life which I now live in the flesh." Yes, but this life is to be lived by faith: "I live by faith in the Son of God." As we put our trust in Jesus day by day, He lives in and through our thoughts, our words, our choices, our priorities, our relationships.

Once again, this is God's grace at work through humility and faith. The humility is expressed by embracing this confession: "it is no longer I who live." The faith is expressed by counting upon this truth: "Christ lives in me."

Frustration

Frustration is a form of feeling that comes as a result of disappointment, discouragement, hopelessness, helplessness, and sometimes because of the ungratefulness of others. The sense of ungratefulness is very common in our society. From day to day people have become more ungrateful than ever. When they want something out of us, they make all effort to reach us and be nice to us, but, when they are done with us they simply ignore us the next time they see us. At times they do forget to even say “Thanks” for our assistance. What kind of inhuman attitude is this? Why are people very unmannered today? It is sad when even Christians can behave like that. What kind of Christian ethics do we have?

My frustration has derived from the ungratefulness of people.

Lent Season

I always wondered the importance of observing the “Lent Season”. Why is lent so important that some people insist of fasting during this period. Some go through total fast and some partial fast. The definition of fasting it self may differ base on various interpretation and exegesis of the scripture. In my opinion, fasting is the total form of abstinence from food. But beyond the act of abstinence from food, fasting means more to me. It is a time of reflection and waiting upon the Lord to seek His will and fulfilling His purpose in our lives. Fasting must be accompanied by relatively more time spent on prayer and meditation God’s Word. But why is it at “Lent Season”? The observation of the Lent season is solely historical and a tradition of the Church. It does not have any biblical base to its practice. I am shocked to see many lay people or even Pastors holding a very high view of the lent season and consider it to be a “holy” month. They insist the church to have mass and services through out the month and people are strongly encouraged to fast. These requirements are never Biblical in its essence. This is a German influence after the reformation period that has slowly become the tradition of many churches over the years (mainly observed by main line churches). The word “Lent” it self derives from a German word. This season of the year has been set a side for each believer in Christ to ponder upon His suffering for all of mankind and to evaluate our life and spiritual journey in the light of Christ suffering in a more discipline way through fasting and constant prayer.

I am totally in agreement with the purpose of observation; however I tend to disagree with the methods employed. Why should we be too rigid of the particular 40 days? We tend to give value to number and dates when we observe certain period as sacred above the other. I strongly feel, that a life of a believer should always reflect the suffering and glory of Christ – not only restricted to a season. Thus we should not restrict or confine our time of reflection in our spiritual journey only to “lent” by being rigid in observing the ritual behind it, but, live a reflective life in all seasons for the glory of the risen Lord.
Happy Easter and God Bless us all.