DEEP FAITH          

By Rick Mathes

1 Timothy 3:9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

We are created by a creator much like a painting is created by a painter. Just think of what the painting would think of the painter. It would only understand that which was revealed in the painting such as brush strokes and colors. But there would be a wealth of understanding beyond the ability of the painting to comprehend much like we have the mysteries of our Creator God. Let me name just a few.

Why do the wicked prosper? For example, I did quite well making dishonest money and fleecing people before I was saved. I had two Cadillac cars, a 50 foot cruiser and partied around the world. When I came to Christ broken and empty handed I was perplexed how I would thank Him that I was never caught or convicted of a felony. On the other hand, partners and friends of mine all wound up dead, crazy or incarcerated.

You tell me: What is born again? If I ask 100 Christians I will get 100 different answers. We all can look at this beautiful gem sparkling and glowing from a different angle while describing the same gem or crown of jewels.

The Muslims call it “Kismet” which means “fate.” The Calvinists call it “predestination” and yet there is a world of difference between the two. So those who oppose both subscribed to the “free will” or “humanism” is indifference to the Word of God’s teachings of unconditional election. Free will or fates are fatalistic.

The Pharisees believed in a life after death and the Sadducees did not. The Jehovah’s Witnesses say there is nothing but soul sleep at death and the Mormons believe we will become gods and have our own plane. It gets worse! The Roman Catholics re-crucify Christ in their Mass for our atonement, then they go to a priest they call Father for him to forgive their sins which were atoned by Jesus as the Mass and then they die and go to the flames of Purgatory to purge them of their sins. Duhhh? But if you buy enough prayer candles and say lots of rosaries, those who died might get a 1,000 off their sentence in these temporary flames. Where is this in the Bible?

Lastly we misunderstand the incarnation or hypostasis of the God-Man we have given ouir lioves to. It is a mysterious union with Christ that Ws birthed by His resurrection as a reward for His suffering our sins on that cross. He died so that we may live and we must do the same. We must died to sin that we might live in Him. Amazing!