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Resurrection Sunday – Persuaded

This Sunday will be celebrated all over the world. Most Christians regard it as Resurrection Sunday, it reminds us of the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. But not everyone believes this.

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

John 20:24-25 NIV

Thomas, one of the Lord’s own disciples had his doubts. Unpersuaded – that’s the story of our society.

“Unless I see it, I won’t believe it.”

What does it take to be persuaded? Jesus said blessed are those who don’t see yet believe (John 20:29).

Sometimes the facts persuade us. We like to check into things before we buy something expensive.

What about life? Why live your life without checking the facts first? Most people live based upon wishful thinking.

“Which philosophy do I like the best? It sure would be more convenient if there was no God.”

Do the research. It turns out that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most provable fact of ancient history. There’s more proof of the resurrection, than of Socrates and Plato ever existing. So, how can someone rise from the dead if there’s no God?

However, facts are not the only way to be persuaded. Actually, they’re the least effective. That’s because persuasion takes place in the heart, not in the head.

That’s why it’s not about convincing you to accept Christ. It’s not about making you believe the Bible. It’s getting you to see the hand of God at work. And there’s no better place than in the life of a believer.

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

Paul literally says, being persuaded of this. God is doing a good work in me. That’s what people need to see. It’s not about grand theological arguments. The world needs to see a life-changing God.

That’s because a changed life is persuasive. Change isn’t easy. Resurrection Sunday actually falls at a great time to illustrate this. It’s now just over three months from the New Year. How are your resolutions going?

No matter how good intentioned we are, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We’re aware of our need for change. We even want to change. But there’s a force trying to stop us called the flesh. That’s why we need an almighty God.

When I can see the hand of God working in you, it persuades me to trust in Him for my soul. God is not about trying harder. He doesn’t want you to make a resolution to be good or turn over a new leaf. The Lord wants to make you a new person.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

The term, born again, is not just a catch phrase. It’s not just hype invented by Paul to get your attention. It’s based upon the experience of accepting Christ’s offer to make you a new person.

A vast majority of Christians can honestly say, “I am a different person from the day I received Christ into my life.” That’s persuasive. It’s the power of a changed life. That’s why your testimony is so important.

We serve a God who raises the dead. He’s a God who can give you a new start – born all over again. Let Him do His work in you this day. Let this Sunday truly be Resurrection Sunday for you.

Question: How did Jesus Christ change your life?

4 Comments

Posted by Revzacc on April 7, 2023 in Encouragement, Power of God, The Gospel

Tags: atheist, born again, changed life, Christ, doubt, Easter, Jesus, new birth, persuaded, philosophy, resurrection

Choose Understanding

07 Feb

The Bible talks a lot about understanding. Unfortunately we live in a society that runs from it, because with understanding, comes responsibility. Once I understand something, I’m responsible to walk in it.

The Jewish people were much the same as our world when it came to the ministry of Christ. Because they rejected understanding, they lost out on a blessing.

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.
Matthew 13:15

The fact is that understanding takes place in the heart. The Greek word for understanding literally means to put together. It’s in the heart that I begin to put together all the things that I’ve seen and experienced.

But that takes thought and meditation on your life. Most people don’t want to do that. They would rather just have a quick explanation about why things are the way they are.

“If I just had more money, I’d be happy.”

“If my parents had loved me more, my life would have turned out better.”

Understanding makes us responsible for our choices and responses. That’s why it seems so hard to win the lost to Christ in our generation.

What happens if I try to plant the seed of the Gospel in a heart with no understanding?

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
Matthew 13:19

Without understanding, Satan can snatch the seed right out of your heart. The one receiving the Gospel must put it together with their whole life experience without Christ. That’s why in this society, with the Word of God everywhere, many are rejecting the Gospel.

Our generation is taught to not understand.

“If it feels good, do it.”

Understanding protects the Gospel seed. This should help us to minister in this society. For instance, if someone says they’re an atheist, don’t just tell them what the Bible says. They don’t want to understand it, so it will have no effect.

Instead, tell them, “I’m going to pray that God will make Himself real to you. When He does, I’ll be there to talk to you about it.” Then as you go through your day, continue in prayer for them. This gives the Holy Spirit a chance to work on them.

As the Spirit of God starts to bring light into their experience, they’ll come to a point of decision. Then it’s up to them whether they want to walk in their new found understanding. That’s always the first step to God – choosing understanding.

Of course it doesn’t stop when we accept Christ as our Lord. We must continue in it our whole lives. It’s the basis for all we do in the Lord.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Ephesians 5:17

Question: How did understanding play a key role in your salvation experience?

Choosing to Understand

03 Apr

We live in a society where we have all but given up on understanding. In many schools we’re taught how we need to think. Don’t ask why, just agree.

We now have a generation of people who voice opinions, but don’t know why they have them. The media is constantly telling us what we need to wear, listen to, and watch. After all, “This is what everybody thinks.”

Scripture gives us a different perspective.

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7

As believers, we are told to seek wisdom and understanding. We don’t just blindly follow the crowd. There is a reason we are on the earth and it’s our job to find out why.

God has a plan for everyone’s life. We’re not just random. Life has meaning. The problem is that most people are afraid to find out the meaning of life. They would rather just “go with the flow.”

The issue is that wisdom and understanding will cost you something. They bring responsibility with them and that’s what we’re really afraid of.

If we don’t understand, then we are not responsible for what we do. That’s the key. Understanding and the resulting responsibility requires self-control.

That’s the reason that many people choose atheism. If there is a God, then I’m responsible to live under that understanding. My actions will have to be controlled.

But there’s even more to it than that.

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
2 Timothy 2:7

Paul literally tells Timothy to apply your mind to understand. Understanding takes initiative – it doesn’t just fall out of the sky.

The good news is that if we take this first step, then the Lord will give you the next level of understanding. The word insight that Paul uses is the Greek word suneisis. It means to put together.

The fact is that understanding puts truth together. We have to do this with many truths if we are to live a fulfilled life.

For instance – there is a God, He will judge the world, and I will live forever someplace. These are all truths that are important all by themselves. But when I put them together by wisdom and understanding they take on a whole new level of importance. Now my choices are more limited than when I thought there were no consequences.

That’s why understanding is the foundation of coming to Christ. We have to put together our need and His provision. Then I have to bring my actions – and faith – into line with my understanding.

Question: Do you actively seek wisdom and understanding from the Lord?

The Spirit and the Word

Tag Archives: atheist

Resurrection Sunday – Persuaded

Choose Understanding

Choosing to Understand

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