What is the ressurected life? Platt said it is being dead with Christ, buried with Christ, and raised with Christ in heavenly places. Most of us stop with the death and burial of Christ. Platt says salvation is reduced to the saving of sins so we can go to heaven. But salvation is so much more. He says salvation means completeness, wholeness, and restoration. That's what I've been working towards as long as I can remember. But no amount of striving on my part can restore me. Only by being identified with Christ can I become whole.
Alan Platt says people have come so far from God's ideal that they have become confused about their true identity. I know I have. Only the good news of Jesus brings us back to our true identity. We are designed for a relationship with Jesus 24/7. Platt says we are designed to carry the glory of God in human form. When I asked why it was so difficult, our class leader, Gary, said because it is easier to follow rules and compartmentalize Christianity than to be sold out all day every day to a relationship with Jesus. It's not about church or religion. It's about relationship, and only Jesus makes us complete.
Are my ramblings as clear as mud? I'm beginning to understand but it's hard to put into words. It's about relying on God's power and not my own strength. I don't know why that's been so hard for me to grasp. It's like being invited to a party but the invitation got lost and you never knew you were invited. I want to be at that party God has invited me to. I don't want to miss out on the ressurected life.
"But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus", Ephesians 2:4-6. NLT
ahhhh Peggy! I so hear what you are saying! It is only the last 10 or so years that I have started (and I mean started) to understand that not only am I saved by grace but I can only live the life God wants of me BY GRACE. I tried desperately to live the way I thought I should, to please God. Now I am starting to see that I a lot of what I did was to please people and somehow I thought that was also pleasing to God? How could I get so convoluted! Slowly I am learning who I am as God's child, who He is as a God of love, not of judgment. 1 John 4. (why do we emphasis God's judgment and not his love?) . I am learning that the Holy Spirit lives in me and that in this way I can live the life God wants of me! "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom". Instead of self condemnation and self analyzing I am learning to listen to the voice of the Shepherd. Is that where I live each day? no, but it is where I want to live! I am so easily sidetracked, become introspective and forgetful of who I am in Christ!
ReplyDeleteBe encouraged Peggy! God is obviously teaching you His truth. May you have his discernment and wisdom as you live today!
God bless you!
No I do understand what you're saying...and it is a beautiful beautiful goal. Difficult though...a lifetime's work I imagine.
ReplyDeleteBut what a wonderful goal! Hope your day is beautiful today Peggy!