Convergence
Malcolm Salunga Douglas
Has there ever been anything in your life that you just could not give up? It’s as if it has become a part of you and there is nothing more you can do about it. Maybe you grew up with a predisposition to a certain way of life. If you are anything like me, that being human, than you have more than likely suffered the affects of sin and struggled from day to day with not just the Lord but with temptations.
So often we hear about the power that Christ provides, as if it was something so transcendent that it could never happen to me, or to you. But the Bible also portrays a side of Christ that has almost been forgotten through the corridors of time – Christ very much understands our thoughts and feelings. He too learned through suffering (Heb. 5:8).
It is in the first description of the love in 1 Cor. 13, that the discovery is made that it (love) means more than just being patient. The original Greek suggests that the love described is a love that suffers long. It is willing to endure, bear, put up with, experience, tolerate, undergo, go through, and suffer the patience of waiting.
If I may make a bold statement – God loves you. And he loves you so much that he suffered for you. The question then is not can he give you the power, but will you accept his power? Often one can attend church and hear about the power of God, yet walk out without experiencing or believing that this power is offered to us today. We can often hear about Christ’s earthly ministry for others, His sacrificial giving of himself, and often (especially among Adventists) His soon return. But if I may pose the question, how often does one hear about what Christ is doing right now? Something that is just as important as his sacrifice on the cross.
Christ’s work on this earth was important, he not only died on the cross for your sins; but he bore our iniquities (Isa. 53:11). “He took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved (or compelled) him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation of the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor (or to help) them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:16-18). Christ understands your pain, he lived in this world. He was tempted like you, and like me, if not to a greater degree; but he not only died for you and me, he lived for you and me.
Christ not only died, but he lives. And I know that my redeemer lives (Job. 19:25). But, he could not be a faithful High Priest now, if he didn’t come like you and like me then (Heb. 2:17-18). Thus, Christ’s work in the heavenly sanctuary is so important that is can give us the power from sin today, the assurance of a new life today, and a victory that can last until the second return of Christ.
Christ understands how we feel. Have you felt lonely? Or betrayed? He too felt lonely and betrayed when one of his disciples betrayed him. Have you felt like temptations are strong and almost too overpowering? He too was tempted, and by Satan (Matt. 4). Christ reaches to our true felt needs, for he understands your pain.
His work on earth promised us the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-27, why not experience it? Why not experience that peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27)? Why not believe that Christ knows your ever weakness? Why not lean on Him who will not fail you? Why not grasp for His unfailing hand? Why not
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25
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