blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” How we need to know this “much more.” This means that when we are “in Christ” there is no coming judgment. Our security is eternal and is safe in the hands of Jesus Christ. So, salvation has a future tense since there is no wrath to come upon us. Some Christians, however, go no further than this. But yet there is the present, or as these German youth wanted to know, “What about today?” If we are going to be honest with ourselves, that is also our biggest problem as Chris tians. It isn’t a question whether your sins have been forgiven or that you will escape the judgment to come. The wonderful thing about the Bible is what we can see in the next verse, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” How would you answer the question, “How were you saved?” You might say “By Christ’s death.” But this verse says, “by His life.” Now this doesn’t mean by copying Him and trying to live up to His standard. That is not possible, of course. In the Amplified New Testa ment, we have, “Much more being reconciled, we shall be daily deliv ered from sin’s dominion by His res urrection life.” You see, this puts it in the correct tense, “daily delivered.” If you are a child of God, then Jesus Christ lives in you through the per son of His Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 declares, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, then he is none of his.” This divine abode is primarily for one purpose, and that is that you might be daily delivered from sin’s dominion. Do you recognize this fact? If only you will, then you can say, “Lord Jesus, this is so wonderful, You live in my heart, not just to be a pass ing experience, not just to be a badge on my coat, or a motto on the wall of my house, but to be my life day by day.” How wonderful to say, “Lord Jesus, this is the situation, or the fear. I can’t meet it, but I know that
You can. I rest my soul in You.” Jesus Christ can do something won derful for you today. If you are in fear over an oppressing problem, let Jesus Christ help you. If you have never trusted Him as your Saviour do so now. If you have been saved, but the pressures are driving you down, remember He can deliver you day by day and moment by moment. This can be your joyous experience today. Why not come to the Saviour who handles the present as well as the past and the future. ENCIRCLING TRIALS Beekeepers in the Orient have no fear in handling bees. With practically no protection, such as veils and gloves , they go right into the hives, while avoiding being stung. Most of us have a very healthy respect for these little winged creatures and we are satisfied to keep our distance. The orientals, however, seem to have a special touch. They can be surrounded by clouds of angry bees and still escape harm. The reason given is that they are particularly passive in their attitudes and extremely deliber ate in their movements. Even though a bee comes right at them, they make no effort to protect themselves. As a result they avoid being hit with a stinger. The bee does’t hurt them any more than it would attempt to sting a log or a flower. Our problem is that when we’re ap proached by a bee we get quite nervous and combative. Instead of being quiet we move about rapidly maybe even run ning and screaming. This infuriates the bee and responding with his defense mechanism he heads for certain and painful destruction. Have you ever felt that the many trials and problems of life have sur rounded you like a swarm of angry bees? Troubles seldom come singly. They seem to descend upon us when we least expect them and hit at our most vulnerable spots. I f we fret and fume, rebelling against the circumstances, in stead of calmly trusting the Lord, we will no doubt feel the painful sting. The Bible reminds us, “In quietness and con fidence is our strength." You see, the sure cure for depression is praise. So, “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.” 4
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker