Poetry and Prose: August 2003 - The Christian Online Magazine

The Christian Online Magazine -

NO PLACE FOR DOUBT

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word, which by the gospel is preached unto you. -- 1Peter 1:24-25

"Forever" (without end) is unimaginable to most of us, but God says it, so I believe it.

Unlike man, who withers and fades away, God, the eternal triune God is certainly far removed from any mortal similarity. He is immortal, a divine Spirit, the epitome of life. In Him all were/are made alive; in Him they move and have they're being. This, He established in the beginning (as recorded in Genesis 1) when He simply spoke the word and all forms of life were born. This life was perfect, both in beauty and structure, and, as for man, walking and talking with God was an everyday, customary occurrence. Oh the excitement at just the thought of that!

Then man made the choice to disbelieve/doubt the word of God (prompted by Satan himself) and pursued a horrific act of disobedience by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had clearly commanded that he not do this. Well, just as God warned him, (..."for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die") you know what happened next! Immediately the spiritual entity of his soul departed, thus he could no longer walk with God (who is Spirit). Eventually he was driven out of his homeland (the Garden of Eden) and from that day forth cursed was the ground for his sake.

God has given all of us "free will." He will not force His will upon us. This, I believe, is a gesture of His love, respect and confidence. On the other hand, I believe it reveals God as One who desires to be loved willingly and without reservation. There is never any place for doubt or disbelief in a loving relationship is there?

Through the Apostle Paul, God now offers us the gospel of salvation unto "life." This born-again life is one redeemed to spiritual reality. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures..." (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

Will you choose to "believe" the word of God? Or, will you doubt and take chances with this real opportunity to be redeemed back to Him? The evil one will work hard to deceive you, but remember -- God only wants your _expression of faith in His word.

Do you Believe This?

By His love you have new life

And that life is in His Son

With it comes strength and freedom

Gifts from the Most High and Holy One.

By His love you are forgiven

Your sins are now all washed away

Never again will they be remembered

Or even recorded for judgment day.

By His love you have new strength

Yes, a great and mighty power

For it is He who sits at God's right hand

Making intercession each day and hour.