Friday 3 November 2017

The Risen Christ

The Risen Christ
The apostle Luke writing in his second book the book of Acts states,
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3
What Luke notes that Jesus after his resurrection appeared to his followers over a period of forty days.
This to my way of thinking must be true. For the simple fact that if it were not, the lie would hurt the very people Luke wishing to help.
Certainly believers in Christ Jesus to this day believe Jesus was raised from the dead walked on the earth and ascended into heaven. It is a core belief of all who call themselves Christ followers.
It is something each person when confronted with Jesus Christ must decide for themselves.
There are a lot of things we as believers in Christ Jesus believe that the individual must consider. Things that require faith.
The apostle Paul writes,
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” 1Corinthians 1:18-25.
Looked at from a purely human prospective what Christians believe seems unbelievable. Yet it is true.
To the human mind the best way for God to get followers would be to show Himself in a miraculous way. This however would not necessarily produce true believers. Many people would simply believe because they feared what God could do to them. God does not want this.
God wants true followers and true followers are people of faith. The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 
and certain of what we do not see.”  
                                                Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 
                                                                        Hebrews 11:6.
A true person of faith is someone who will continue following what they believe no matter the consequences. They will literally follow what they believe to the grave.
This is what God wants. That is why he sent Jesus in the way he did.
Please think about it.

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