From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Hey, now that the God thing is in you, why aren't all your problems gone too? In the Scriptures (Romans 7), Paul addresses that as he laments that sometimes what he wants to do he doesn't; and what he doesn't want to do, he does. He cries out "who shall save me from the body of this death?" Zip, read on, Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus".

What an answer! That same power that raised Jesus from the dead actually "enlivens” us and raises us up from the “death” of our sins. Can we say "word picture" here? These aren’t stories and myths, folks. God is unfolding His plan before our very eyes. Before Adam even disobeyed, God had the rescue plan in place. It's the time frame that freaks us out. Thousands of years go by and then Jesus is placed on the earth; thousands of years go by after He walked on the earth and we stand here scratching our heads, crying, "but You said You'd come back soon"!

If I were God, I would cross my arms and look down on the world and say, "Wimps". Or better still, I'd be standing there, with a smoking gun and all the Earth would be destroyed while I was saying, "Any other stupid questions?" Thank God none of us are God!

We have a limited understanding, limited faith, limited hope, limited love, heck, we have a limited life (in comparison to eternity). All that from Adam's disobedience but removed by Jesus’ obedience. The Scriptures are so much more than what we have assessed them to be. They are really God's letters of encouragement, instruction, and lo-o-o-n-g history of His love for us.

Jesus’ death on the cross was not only Jesus taking the "capital punishment" for our sins; it was also the word picture for us as to how far we must also go with our own flesh (mind, will, emotions)...to the death of them! God tells us to "crucify the flesh" (worldly ways), just like Jesus did. But it didn't end there, not for Jesus and not for us. The Spirit of God raised Jesus from that death and He does the same for us. What a word picture that is! We are made alive in Christ, too! Alive from the death of sin; and imagine all of heaven watching this unfold, unhindered by the ball and chain of time. Century after century, human after human being raised from the death of their sins and made alive in Christ! God is having His way and waits in eager delight with all of creation for the "sons of God to be revealed". All of our spiritual victories accumulate in a vivid crescendo before God; the groaning creation is freed and healed!

God will not give up on us, so do not give up on Him, He will set you free…if you let him. Endure the fire...it's producing pure gold!

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