Part 2 of Chapter 5 in FOR HIS GLORY
Now to him who is able
to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.*
In My Beginning, Cont’d
God the Father was portrayed more as a judge than as Creator God who had made this wonderful world for us to enjoy. And who had rescued us from the curse of sin so we could be close to Him.
Jesus was a warmer God-figure, but He was coming back soon and we would be in deep trouble if we were caught being bad when He popped out of those clouds.
In my late 20’s, I realized I envisioned a harsh and angry God standing at the door of heaven with one foot cocked back, ready to boot me out at the slightest provocation.
Those early impressions of the Christian life painted a bland picture of God and of faith. Yes, He loved me so much that He sent His Only Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins, but from that point on it was without the vivid and brilliant spiritual colors that represent the Abundant Life that God intends for our Spirit-to-spirit relationship with Him.
In Full Color
When man sinned and Satan became god of this world, deep darkness covered the earth spiritually as it had done in a physical way before God made the sun. Just as He made the sun to deal with physical darkness, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring Light into our spiritual world.
The power of Satan’s darkness over us was shattered when Jesus rose from the dead and burst out of that tomb, pumping His fist in triumph after having defeated the powers of death, hell and the grave.
The full-color life of Eph. 1:17-23, Eph. 3:20-21, I Cor. 2:9-10, and the righteousness, peace and joy of Rom. 14:17, are wonderful descriptions of the spiritually vibrant Life.
*Eph. 3:20-21 niv
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
April 22, 2022
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