In some strange-sounding ways, I have a real advantage regarding needing Jesus. All of my tests result in my dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. I pretty much know I’m no good without Christ and that I cannot overcome this world without staying in His shadow. But, therein lies the strength of the universe and He is what I must have in order to complete this life He’s given me.
Where does a person begin and end talking about Jesus? How can I compare my ways with His amazing, every-increasing and expanding, freeing, loving, infinite ways?
While living in my ways, I was blind to Jesus. Jesus is opening my eyes to all of the wonder that He is – to true Life.
He (the man who Jesus healed of blindness) answered and said, “Whether he (Jesus) be a sinner or not, I know not. One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.”
John 9:25
Ninety-nine out of 100 times, according to one well-known pastor, when a Christian marries a non-Christian, the Christian will lose their faith and give in to the non-Christian spouse’s way of life.
I was thinking about giving up Jesus. Not actually doing it, but about what it would be like to do so. I would have to give up the favor He continually shows me, the exhilaration of the adventure I’ve found in Jesus, the way He surprises me in so many ways that bring a secret smile or tear of joy. I’d have to give up letting His peace reign in my heart, Him often quickening and making real His Word to my heart. I’d have to give up Romans 8:28, the ability of being able to trust in the Lord with all my heart and to have His peace that passes my understanding soothing me, to not be afraid of sudden fear, to be able to cast all my care on Jesus, that I would probably not love my wife the way Jesus has shown me to, that I would not have the power to be free indeed, and all the rest that makes up the abundant Life I’ve found in Him, and I thought, “I cannot live without Jesus and that living with Him is so inspiring, rich and free.”
Jesus truly is Life for me – I can now see just a fraction of all that He’s wanting to do in my life. I sense that He has so much more. Without Him in my life, I would be left with all of the awful ways that lead to death. I would still be blind.
Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and who maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14 AMP Version
For to me to live is Christ (all that He is – Wow), and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21
Thanking and praising God in all things,
Mark