Wednesday, February 19, 2020

“His Power To Redeem”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe….


"His Power To Redeem"
   
      That which the devil, the world, and the flesh ruins, God redeems.

     "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:18-21).

   A risen Lord Jesus Christ bears witness to God's creation being ultimately delivered from the imperfection and deterioration that resulted from the presence of sin.  Indeed, the greatest redemption, as it were, that ever occurred took place when the Lord Jesus was "made to be sin for us" and bore the full weight of God's judgment and wrath on the cross of Calvary" (II Corinthians 5:21).  The Father raised His Son from such ruin, exalted Him with Lordship and "a Name above every name," and bestowed upon creation the promise of restoration from the ravages of sin (Philippians 2:9).  

   This truth applies to our personal lives.  Where are there aspects of damage and ruin in our lives due to sin, whether our own, or the wrongs of others committed against us, or the simple fact that we live in a fallen world?  More importantly, is the Lord Jesus our Redeemer regarding those matters?  Can He bring His risen life to bear on the "deaths" in our lives, that is, the losses that perplex and even paralyze us?  He can, as we look to the One redeemed from the grave and installed upon the throne.  Our Heavenly Father administers firstfruits of the ultimate redemption mentioned above as we believe He possesses both the willingness and ability to do so.  The promise to Israel of old speaks to this loving inclination of God to redeem things lost: I will restore to you the years that the locusts hath eaten" (Joel 2:25).

   Painful events and experiences of our past serve as opportunities to discover the redemption of Christ.  I often share the example of having lost my father when I was two years old.  His absence during my childhood was keenly painful and I doubtless still feel the effects.  However, when I look at my life, I have even more assurance that God wove my the loss of my earthly father into His good purposes for glory of the Lord Jesus, my benefit, and hopefully, the blessing of those with whom I live my life.  My Heavenly Father redeemed - and still redeems - through a significant loss that by His grace serves as opportunity to behold the wonder of His ways.  This is who He is.  And this is what He can do through the resurrected Christ whose personal loss led to the gain of exaltation for Himself, and eternal life for all who believe in His power to redeem.

"He restoreth my soul."
(Psalm 23:3)

Weekly Memory Verse
   "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice."
(Philippians 4:4)

























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