He Is Risen!

Most of the time, this blog is about politics, or cars, or something else I find interesting or amusing to share. Typically, we Conservatives, particularly we Independent Evangelical Christian Conservatives are criticized for constantly pointing out every little deficiency in the Obama administration, and for complaining about Pelosi and Reid’s latest plan to waste... er, spend our money. It’s not that we (speaking for myself) don’t like these people; it’s just that we don’t get the way they think. It just doesn’t click. It’s not logical. It doesn’t make sense. Too often, they say one thing and do another. They’ll stand for a cause, which on the surface appears noble, but is in reality, just politics as usual. When called upon to put their own money where their mouths are, the record shows that it simply doesn’t happen. They constantly misuse taxpayer dollars and, in so doing, desecrate the privilege of being called to lead. Many claim to be Christians, but their actions and voting records portray the opposite. So while Barack Obama parades around pretending to be the new Messiah, we choose to put our trust in the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Regardless of what Newsweek, Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman, or even the POTUS may say, Jesus is very much alive—just as he was when he walked this earth a little over 2,000 years. That’s really not long ago at all. Assuming an average life span of 50 years, that’s just 40 generations ago. He was sent, by God (Creator of heaven and earth), to save us from our selves and our inherited desire to do the exact opposite of what God, wants us to do (a.k.a, “sin”). When God created humankind, he set just a few, less than a dozen, ground rules. These rules were mostly intended to protect us and to insure that the world would operate in an orderly, systematic manner, as God had planned. Unfortunately, mankind didn't "get it" then, and apparently a large segment of society doesn't get it today.

We, or should I say, our distant ancestors, immediately decided that they were smarter than the Creator of the Universe. They started making their own rules and doing things contrary to God’s will, which is never a good idea. It’s been that way ever since. When we Evangelical Conservatives see our elected leaders making decisions (in effect, “playing God”) that contradict what we really believe deep down we have to speak up. These overblown egos in gov’ment may feel that, by winning (or stealing or buying) an election, that gives them the right to lord over the average citizens who voted them in. They are wrong. For those of us who believe that life on this earth is simply something we must go through to get to our final destination, Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives.

The people we elect to high earthly offices are just people—not one bit different than you or I—just flesh and blood. Things were really screwed on this earth prior to Jesus’ coming, maybe even more than they are now. Even back then politicians were a big part of the problem. Jesus was sent by God to bring a true message of hope and change and a way for humankind to again be right with God. His message was to love God totally, and to show that love by obeying the ground rules set down in the beginning. He also said that we should love one another, and in doing so, show respect for God’s creation.

We all suffer trials and tribulations while on this earth. Even those who appear to really have it made. And, there’s a perfectly good reason it—this is not heaven. This is earth and no one gets out alive. I’ve never been able to understand the logic of those who choose to deny the existence of God. If there’s no God, then there’s simply no reason for us to exist—but we do exist, and therefore there must be a God and a purpose for this existence. What would that purpose be other than to prepare us for life in a far, far better place.

Prepare us?
Maybe “prepare” is not the right word. I think a better choice would be “test,” but you may not like that word either, it’s rather scary, particularly if you have failed as many tests as I have. Still, it is an appropriate term to describe why we are here on this green/blue orb spinning through space in these earthly bodies. In Matthew 7:14 it says, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadth unto life, and few there be that find it.” This is a verse that is sure to give pause to anyone who believes, as I once did, that ALL people go to heaven after death. The belief, that upon passing from life on earth all people just go on to float on clouds and play harps, may be a warm fuzzy for those who are left to deal with the grief, but, according to God’s word, it’s not the case. The good news is, even though we'll make a lot of mistakes, and commit countless sins during our time on earth, there is hope for all of us who trust and believe in Jesus.

I often think of death, which will come to all, as simply “The Great Equalizer.” When the times comes, it isn’t going to matter how big your house was, what kind of car you drove or even how much you gave to Jerry’s Kids. When a soul departs this earth and enters the presence of the Creator, only one thing matters. Did you believe? John 3:26 says “For God so loved the word that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish but have everlasting life. When you trust in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you no longer fear death.

Believe—trust—have faith in Jesus. That’s what it’s all about, and that why this life is full of tears and trials. It’s not about finding joy through success on this earth, it’s about believing and trusting in a loving God who will pull us through the worst of times. It's about knowing deep down that Jesus died on the cross to take away the sin of this world, to proclaim victory over the grave. We just have to focus on that narrow path and believe. That’s why, in Mark 10:25, Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” As many of us have recently learned as we’ve watched our IRAs and 401Ks melt-like chocolate in the hot sun, earthly possessions are temporal—they come and they go, just as does our very presence on this earth.

So how come I’m so smart? How do I know this is all true and that Jesus lived, lives and will be coming back? It’s quite simple really. To my advantage, I was brought up as a believer, so when the time came for me to seriously question “all this God and Jesus” stuff, I looked for something that really made sense and for me that came in the form of studying the lives and testimonies of the disciples, the guys that were with Jesus 24/7 during his time on earth. After Jesus ascended into heaven, these guys, his closest buds on earth, were left behind to spread the message that Jesus brought and tell the world how he was crucified, died and came back to life. Wow, and you think you have a tough job? Most people thought these dudes were goofy.

Imagine what they went through (refer to the books of Acts) in trying to convince people that they had just spent three years with the Son of God, saw him die on across, and then saw him alive again a few days later, and how he came to offer new life to all who would believe. Each one of the disciples (except John, who suffered a fate even worse than death) died a martyr’s death. Each one had the opportunity to save themselves, to recant their story and go about their business only if they promised to never breath a word of it again. They refused for they knew the story was true, and they were all willing to give their lives to see that the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was perpetuated.

1 Timothy 3:16 says, “Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, 
was taken up in glory.” And that is what Easter, Resurrection Day, is all about. It’s an opportunity for each of us to pause and remember that Jesus Christ really did give his life for us, and that by believing in him, we to can look forward to everlasting life in a place far better than this. Just the thought of that can make even your worse days a lot easier to stomach. One of the most memorable quotes I ever picked out of a Pastor’s sermon was this, “Believe in Jesus and this is the worst it gets—choose not to believe, and this is the best it gets.”

If you are yearning, craving, seeking for something better, trust Jesus. He won’t disappoint you. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” If you just invite him into you life, you will find a peace that does surpass all understanding. Happy Easter!