One of our lay preachers mentioned when preaching recently that we often overlook the disciples with Jesus at the time of his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. While Jesus is the main focus of Easter, there are lessons to be learned from the disciples too.
The below excerpt reminds us of the disciple, (Simon) Peter. Peter experiences a spiritual battle. Peter was Jesus’ most faithful disciple who claimed he was willing to follow Jesus into death (Luke 22:31), however, after Jesus is arrested in the garden, Peter loses his faith in the Lord, denying that he knows Jesus three times. As soon as Peter recognises what he has done, he regrets it (repents) and acknowledges his mistake. He overcomes this spiritual battle and becomes the foundation for the Church as we know it today.
What If Faith Is Lacking?
“With Christ, all things are possible, but what if faith is lacking?
…. Christians aren’t perfect. We’re in a spiritual battle all our lives with an active, cunning adversary: Satan. I wanted readers to see how easily we can fall into traps and be seduced by worldly philosophies. Even when we are saved by grace, we suffer consequences. God comforts us, loves us and shows us the way to walk through this life.
…. The prevailing cultural view seems to be everyone will go to heaven no matter what they’ve done or not done or what they believe.
Advocates of this belief say God is love, and there is no hell. In truth, Jesus talked more about hell then He did about heaven.
…. It is absolutely true God is love, but a text taken out of context is a pretext. God is also just. He is holy. He is righteous. Sin brought death to Adam and Eve – and to all of us. This life is not all there is. The wage of sin is death, and hell comes after. God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sins, in blood, so that we can be saved out of death into life eternal in heaven with Him – if we believe Jesus’ work on the cross. It is a matter of choice. Believe and be saved. Reject Him and spend eternity in hell. Jesus has done everything needed to keep us safe, to give us a future and a hope. Jesus did not come to enhance our lives. He came to save us.
If you want to know why you are here, what you were meant to do, where to find love that lasts forever, and what the meaning of life is, seek the Lord. He has all the answers you need.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Jesus Christ, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10).”
Excerpted from the Aurthor's Note in the book, The Masterpiece, by Francine Rivers.
What will be your choice? Will you choose to seek the Lord, or will you reject Him this Easter?