Dear Fellow ABATE Members,
Part 2:
This Easter,
Your Death, Burial, and Resurrection?
In the last letter, we said that, in all the times of Christian celebrations, Easter (known to many Christians as Resurrection weekend) is the time of the year that is most significant and the most meaningful. The whole basis of our faith is the death, burial, and resurrection of our Messiah, who is the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
God's plan for salvation of men and women is based upon our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 6:2-7 reads: How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7for he who has died is freed from sin.
Just as a quick review: First, we must die to sin. No one is perfect. God understands this when He tells us in His Word in Romans 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Second, if we have died to sin, then we have buried the sinful nature. This burial is symbolized by the immersion in Water Baptism. Third, when we die to sin, have buried the sinful nature, and have taken Jesus into our hearts, we are resurrected with Him. That resurrection is sometimes referred to as a rebirth.
Now, the rest of the story… Let's read from John, Chapter 3: 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." 9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven-the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
As we just read in John 3:7, Jesus says, "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' John 3:3 says that it is a total impossibility that you cannot inherit the spiritual realm of Heaven until you have that spiritual resurrection of being born from above. You must ask yourself the question, "How could one be saved and happy unless his inner nature and heart was at one with God?" Now, you must ask yourself, "Is my inner nature and heart at one with God?" If there is any question in your mind, then you are challenged to make a change. A sinful nature must be transformed by death, burial, and resurrection, if we are to be at peace during this life and to spend eternity with Him.
Now, we have heard it said from others that, "...God would surely not allow one to be barred from eternal salvation if they were good most of their lives and did good things for others." Ephesians 2:8-10 says, 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. It is very clear from the scriptures, that the only way to salvation is through faith alone. The only way we can be justified by God's grace is through the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus Christ.
For a moment, think of yourselves as facing a judge in court. You have been found guilty and may be facing years of prison time. You either already know or already have heard of what a terrible place prison is. You are now facing the prospect of going there and you will lose free contact with your wife, your children, other family members, and friends. Your freedom, that bikers cherish so much will be gone. You could possibly die in prison or be killed there. You are going to an earthly hell. Just as the judge is ready to pound the final gavel, someone walks in and says, "STOP!" My name is Jesus. By the authority of God I have permission to take your place and serve the sentence. Even if it means dying in prison, dying in your place, I will do that for you. You are now free to go. All you have to do is accept me and receive this gift I am providing for you."
Many may say, "I have never broken any of God's laws. I can't believe that God would judge me. I have led a good life." Let us ask you a few simple questions:
Have you ever taken the Lord's name in vain? Have you ever lusted after another person? Have you ever coveted another man's wife or another's husband? Have you ever not kept holy the Lord's Day? Have you ever told a lie? Any lie? Have you ever been divorced, outside the exceptions provided by scripture? Have you ever been involved in the taking of an innocent life? Have you ever failed to love your neighbor? Even if you think you have only committed a "little" sin, then you have broken the laws and/or commandments of God and deserve punishment. Now, the only way to the Father, is to accept that Jesus died for these sins and He took our place, He took our judgment. He took our punishment.
If you are ready to accept this gift and receive what Jesus is providing for you, this can all be accomplished by a simple prayer and a willingness to allow God to transform your life. Wouldn't it be great to say during this Easter season, "I have been resurrected with Jesus?"
If you are ready to receive Him and to receive assurance that if the Lord was to come for you this very day, you would be with Him in Paradise, then please pray: "Dear God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, my heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner and have been separated from You. I ask forgiveness of my sins. I repent and accept this gift of repentance. I confess with my mouth that your son Jesus is my savior and died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. I receive Jesus into my heart and ask Him to become the center of my life. I ask, in the Name of Jesus. Amen."
If you have prayed this for the first time and truly mean it in your heart, will you please let us know? In Matthew 10:31-32, Jesus says, 31"So don't be afraid; ... 32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven."
Jesus will take you just the way you are. He wants you to partner with Him in resolving the difficulties and overcoming sin in your life. It may seem easy to "wimp-out" and say that you will come to Him when things improve and get some garbage out of our lives. But, isn't it better to face things with Him, than without Him?
Many blessings,
Tom and Kathy
www.messiahsmessengers.org or email: tprovenz@comcast.net - phone: 239-267-8641