Uriah Heep: "Easy Livin'

Though this is a love song, it could easily be sung by us to Christ. It certainly meant a lot to me back in 1971, two years after Christ had taken his place in my heart. Check it out here.

Jesus himself likened salvation to having him come for dinner and lodging. Revelation 3:20 is rendered by The Bible in Basic English this way. "See, I am waiting at the door and giving the sign; if my voice comes to any man's ears and he makes the door open, I will come in to him, and will take food with him and he with me."

Furthermore, we who surrender our lives to Christ become his friends. As he told his disciples, and by extension us, in John 15:15 (BBE), "No longer do I give you the name of servants; because a servant is without knowledge of what his master is doing: I give you the name of friends, because I have given you knowledge of all the things which my Father has said to me."

Better still, we're part of his family. Mark 3:32-34 (BBE) tells us, "And a great number were seated round him; and they said to him, 'See, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you.' And he said in answer, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking round at those who were seated about him, he said, 'See, my mother and my brothers!'"

Additionally, our actions show that Christ lives in us. As we read about true children of Jesus in 1 John 2:24 (BBE), "But as for you, keep in your hearts the things which were made clear to you from the first. If you keep these things in your hearts you will be kept in the Father and the Son."

Likewise, Romans 8:9 (BBE) warns us that,  "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God is in you. But if any man has not the Spirit of Christ he is not one of his."

If Christ hasn't come to take us up to him in the air by Monday, I hope the post about why some folks are saved while others aren't is up for all to read.

Why Weren't Adam and Eve Killed Immediately?

We know that God specifically told the first two people that if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they'd die that day. So why didn't they fall dead? If Eve had died instantly, Adam might not have eaten of the fruit as well.

This might come as a surprise to some folks but our Lord is ever merciful. Certain people have the errant view that God is harsh, killing people who offended him. After all, he vaporized whole cities and drowned almost all humanity.

As I pointed out before, God is merciful as well as just. We read in Genesis 3:21 (BBE) how an animal died in their place. "And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins for their clothing." This also covered their shame.

Better still, the Lord prevented the first couple from living eternally in their fallen sinful state. Genesis 3:22 BBE) explains why Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden. "And the Lord God said, 'Now the man has become like one of us, having knowledge of good and evil; and now if he puts out his hand and takes of the fruit of the tree of life, he will go on living for ever.'"

As I've also pointed out before, God prophesied to the first two people that the snake, emblematic of Satan, would be defeated. And so it happened when Christ went to the cross to pay for the sins of whosoever surrendered themselves to his rulership.

When the disciple, Thomas, said he didn't know where Jesus was going, he gave him this answer in John 14:6 (BBE). "Jesus said to him, 'I am the true and living way: no one comes to the Father but by me.'"

This is a most important statement as Christ was that perfect sacrifice, the only one God would accept. This is why we must tell people that the only way they can go to be with God is through Jesus. John 10:9 (BBE) states, "I am the door: if any man goes in through me he will have salvation, and will go in and go out, and will get food."

Likewise, Revelation 3:20 (BBE) quotes Christ, "See, I am waiting at the door and giving the sign; if my voice comes to any man's ears and he makes the door open, I will come in to him, and will take food with him and he with me."

On Thursday, God willing, I'll post details on God's grand plan to save his faithful saints.

What's This Personal Relationship With Christ?

Bearing what I previously wrote in mind, I need to explain what the meaning is of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In brief, it means becoming his friend, disciple, servant,  and child.

When we give ourselves to Christ, we become far more than mere property. John 15:15 (KJV) quotes Jesus as saying to his disciples, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

Furthermore, we know him intimately as a true friend. Look at what Christ said in Revelation 3:20 KJV). "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Unlike uninvited strangers, we invite Jesus into our lives and he fellowships with us like a dinner guest.

Here's another great promise, this time from Colossians 1:27 (KJV.) "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Ponder that mind-blowing truth for a while.

Not only that but we inherit the riches of Christ. Check out what Galatians 3:29 (KJV) says. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed,  and heirs according to the promise."

And how do we become heirs? We become adoptees. Paul wrote in Galatians 4:5 (KJV), "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

He also wrote in Romans 8:15 (KJV), "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

Even better, this adoption is physical as well as spiritual. Consider what Paul wrote in Romans 8:23 (KJV), "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Now isn't all that worth giving up your selfish will to the Lord?

In my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven?, I hope to go into deeper detail about the rewards of a surrendered life to Christ. What a bargain it is that when we give up ourselves to him, we get all he is in return.