Monthly Archives: April 2019

When we dwell daily, even several times a day, on a Scripture, it becomes etched in our memory…

Here’s one:

After a thorough description of the power, justice and sovereignty of God, the Psalmist says:

“Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (Psalms‬ ‭107:43‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

In a similar fashion, 2 Peter states:

“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,” (‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Peter then reminds them of the sovereignty of God over time and our future hope. (God has a plan – he is in charge – so we rejoice in his plan, especially when we think we know better.)

Immediately afterward, Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states:

“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these [the coming of the Lord], be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters.”

[Peter, writing near the end of his life, notes the importance of Paul’s letters. Paul is also in Rome and is near execution, if not dead already.]

“There are some things in them [Paul’s letters] that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.”

[“other Scriptures” – Peter just affirmed that the early church read Paul’s letters as Scripture “according to the wisdom given him.”]

Fragment of the letter to Romans (Bible Museum, D.C.)

He continues:

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter‬ ‭3:14-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Amen indeed!

Glory to God alone for the gift of the Scriptures to guide us today and help us grow!

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,” (Psalms‬ ‭105:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

The tomb is empty!!!

For your Easter reflection, here are some things to think about.

Paul on the importance of the resurrection of Jesus:

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:3-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There are reasons for certainly about the resurrection. I’ve listed some of them below.

What are the proofs for the resurrection? (Because these proofs are based on the Bible, one’s view of the Bible is critical.)

1) that Jesus died by crucifixion;

2) that very soon afterwards, his followers had real experiences that they thought were actual appearances of the risen Jesus;

3) that their lives were transformed as a result, even to the point of being willing to die specifically for their faith in the resurrection message;

4) that these things were taught very early, soon after the crucifixion;

5) that James, Jesus’ unbelieving brother, became a Christian due to his own experience that he thought was the resurrected Christ;

6) that the Christian persecutor Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) also became a believer after a similar experience.

These arguments are from my professor, Gary Habermas, who is a leading expert on the resurrection.

More:

http://www.garyhabermas.com/

As I begin an intensive week of teaching, this is an apt reminder.