Asking God For Silly Things - Apr 13

God does not need to answer a prayer He's already answered. If God says 'Yes' we don't need to 'check in' periodically to see if He has forgotten. It then becomes a question of His timing. This is not a minor theological point. Many a Christian believer has stumbled on this most basic doctrine. Here's but a few examples:

In the beginning was the Word ...

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

God is not unfamiliar with our frailties and infirmities. Jesus felt the cold and the heat. He's felt the pangs of hunger and thirsted for water. He knows intimately all of our unglamorous body functions. He knows what it's like to bleed, suffer and die. We don't need to ask God to come down from His heavenly abode to teach us His ways. He has and we still reject Him today.

Eternal Life

Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16b)

We don't need to ask God for eternal life over and over again. If we have truly put our faith in Christ our redemption is 100% certain. Once saved, always saved. All of our sins (past, present and future) are forgiven. There's nothing Satan delights in more than planting the seed of doubt as to our heavenly estate. In a world gone mad, our salvation ought to reassure us and give us peace of mind. It shouldn't be a constant source of worry. Even when you have a bad day, God still loves you. Got that?

Victory Over Sin

While we were sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

We don't need to ask God to give us victory over sin. Our victory over sin was achieved at the cross. When we humbly come to Him, our sins are remembered no more.

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. (1 Cor 15:51-53)

We don't need to ask God for victory over death. When Jesus rose from the dead on that first Easter Sunday he proved His mastery over physical death. In like manner we too shall be raised incorruptible on the Last Day. Like I said, it's simply a question of His timing.

The Millenial Reign: The Golden Age of Humanity

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Genesis 2:2-3)

Why do I choose this interesting piece of scripture? What does the creation account have to do with the millenial reign of Christ? Everything as it turns out. Bible prophecy is not one of doom and gloom. It is first and foremost a study of redemption. That is what the sabbath represents. Does God need to 'rest'? No! But we do. The sabbath was made by God for Man, not the other way around.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Jesus Is Coming. Look Busy!

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:3-4)

Will you perish as Peter warns? Will you be amongst those mockers and scoffers? Human history isn't finished yet. Ours is a story having a distinct ending engineered by God Himself. He has seen the end from the beginning. His victory is complete and certain. Hallelujah!

Johnny Cash