Is Today "DOOMS"-Day?

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man , no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36)

Greetings and talofa to all my family, friends and faithful readers.  I post this blog this morning to point out several errors of  this “MAY 21 DOOMS-DAY” scare that’s spreading like wildfire on-line.  "...Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you."  (Matthew 24:4)

Harold Camping, a Christian radio broadcaster and president of Family Radio, has used mathematical predictions to predict that the "End of the world" should happen today, May 21, 2011 at exactly 6:00 p.m.
 

He is convinced that a rapture of God’s people (Church) will take place this evening at exactly 6:00 p.m.  Then, five months later, God will destroy the Earth and the universe.
 
First off, it is dangerous to study prophecies and numbers and symbols in the book of Daniel and Revelation with a calculator in hand.  Because some people will feel compelled to punch out prophetic figures, and do mathematical numbers crunching.  Thinking there is some "hidden answer" in Scripture predicting when Christ will return!
 
My beloved family, if we are true to the Bible, if we seek prayerfully the message of Christ’s words in Matthew 24 and 25 with an open heart, we will close our minds to this rubbish.  Preparation for Jesus’ return has less to do with figuring out a date, but rather more to do with how we are to live proper Christian lives in the present.
 
Many people laugh at Camping. But still others wonder, “Could this be true?”  That is the danger.  The answer is not found in blogs, posts, or on-line articles.  The answer is found by studying the Word of God for yourself.  Here are seven passages from Scripture that guide us in testing Camping’s prediction.
 
1.    Matthew 24:36 says, “Of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”  The Bible tells us every effort we make to nail down the time for Christ’s return will fail. Camping directly contradicts Christ’s words.

2.    Luke 21:9 says, “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them” (Luke 21:8). The Bible warns us there are false prophets who attempt to predict the timing of Jesus’ coming. Camping demonstrates that he is a false prophet by trying to set a date for Jesus’ return.

3.    Matthew 24:32, 33 says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”  While the Bible shows us we cannot know the precise time of Christ’s second coming, it helps us know from signs that it is near.

4.    Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”   The emphasis here in Scriptures is to watch and be ready always because we do not know exactly when Christ will return (Luke 12:35-40, Matthew 24:50, 1 Thessalonians 5:6).

5.    Acts 1:6, 7 says, “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?’ And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”  God has not revealed when Jesus will come again. Our Christian focus should not be on time-setting, but mission work of preperation

6.    Luke 12:37 says, “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” The passage teaches that no matter when the master returns, the servant is blessed because he is always ready.  The servant is not fixed on a time, but readiness.

7.    Luke 12:45 says, “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming.’”Here is a warning that putting off preparation for Christ’s coming will catch people off guard. We must not smugly point out false predictions and neglect our own preparation for Jesus’ return or we will not be ready.
 
Camping also predicts that the saints will be “raptured” while the wicked are left on this earth for five months and then destroyed.  The Bible tells us that at the second coming of Christ the wicked will be destroyed, not left behind for five months or even seven years as others believe.(see Revelation 6:16, 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; and Revelation 19:20, 21).  

The Bible teaches that the wicked and righteous (tares and wheat) grow together until the harvest (Matthew 13:30).  Then God’s people are saved and the unrighteous are lost.  In the parable of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 24:44-51), there is no second chance.  So also the parable of the sheep and goats teaches that when Christ comes, people are either saved or lost (Matthew 25:31-46).
 
The parables of Matthew 24 and 25 teach us that because Jesus is coming soon, but at a time we do not exactly know, we should always be ready.   It is not a test of our Christianity to know the specific time of Christ’s return.  The judgment question of Matthew 25:45 says nothing about calculating a date.  It teaches that how we treat those less fortunate than ourselves (our Christian duties) is what shows we are ready for the Lord’s return.
 
Is Jesus’ coming soon? The Bible is certain that Christ will come again. The Scriptures point to signs in the natural world, in the religious world, and in the increase of wickedness on our planet.  Jesus predicted, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Has this sign been completely fulfilled?  There are remote parts in Africa where people still haven't yet heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
God calls us to be ready at all times. We should put away our end-time calculators and fall on our knees asking Jesus to change our hearts and use us as a witness to all nations, so that we will be ready, when He comes.
 
Ia manuia,
 
failauga p. anoa’i

THANK YOU

Mea e ‘ai e tatau ma le aso
“It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods. Every morning tell him, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness.” (Psalm 92:1-2)

Thankfulness ought to be a major ingredient in all our relationships from the time that we wake to when we go to sleep.  During his trials and especially upon the arrival of our son Tuito’o, we focused on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for His gift to us as parents, protecting and guiding our children safely home.

We also realize that thanks should be on our lips every day for the blessings He so freely bestow upon us daily.  The blessings He gives so unselfishly in different ways and forms we sometimes forget to recognize and acknowledge.

Thus, we can never say thank you enough to our families, friends, our readers and especially to our Heavenly Father, for your intercessory prayers for our son.  Although “Thanks Giving Day” is an event celebrated annually worldwide, we want to count our blessings everyday and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the gift of life, liberty and the loving gift of Salvation.

When thanksgiving became an integral part of our lives, we found that our attitude toward life has changed.  We became more positive, gracious, loving, and humbled.  “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises,  that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world…” (2Peter 1:4)

I hope and pray that you, our precious readers will lovingly understand if I take some time-off from writing the “Daily Manna” blog.    That we may concentrate fully our time and effort, on the care of our son.   That the loving grace of God our loving Father, may restore to him his health.

When time permits God willing, I will on occasions, write about our experiences dealing with this ordeal for the benefit of those who are going through similar experiences.  Until then, may God richly bless each and every one of you in His Name.  For…”we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa’i

The Lord Your God is With You!

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

Afterwards Jehovah spoke to Abram in a vision, and this is what he told him: “Don’t be fearful, Abram, for I will defend you. And I will give you great blessings.” (Genesis 15:1)

The promise of God’s protection can keep us from fear.  Why would Abram be afraid? Maybe because he feared revenge from the kings he had just defeated (14:15).  God gave him two good reasons for courage: 

(1) He promised to defend Abram, and 

(2) He promised to give Abram “great blessings.

” When you fear what lies ahead, remember that God will stay with you through difficult times and that he has promised you great blessings.

"Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

But be careful not to leave God out of your thoughts.  Joshua’s new job consisted of leading more than two million people into a strange new land and conquering it.  What a challenge—even for a man of Joshua’s caliber!  

Every new job is a challenge. Without God it can be very frightening. With God it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our challenges.  We may not conquer nations like Josua, but every day we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations. 

However, God promises that he will never abandon us or fail to help us. By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life’s challenges.

Ia manuia,

failauga

Effective Faith

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1)

Effective faith rests on what Jesus Christ has done for us.  As Paul states in  
1 Corinthians 13:13, faith, hope, and love are at the heart of the Christian life.

Our relationship with God must begin with faith, which helps us realize that we are delivered from our past by Christ’s death.  Our hope grows as we learn all that God has in mind for us; it gives us the promise of the future.  And God’s love fills our life and gives us hope and the ability to reach out to others.

"And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything..." (Hebrews 10:38)

Effective faith grows under pressure.  Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their Christian faith when facing persecution and pressure. We don’t usually think of suffering as good for us, but it can build our character and our patience. (James 1:3)

During times of great stress, we feel God’s presence more clearly and find help and strength from praying Christians we never thought would care.  Knowing that Jesus is with us in our suffering and that he will return one day to put an end to all pain and sufferings, helps us grow in faith and our relationship with him (see Romans 5:3-5).

So then, effective faith becomes stronger through endurance.  The writer encourages his readers not to abandon their faith in times of suffering, but to show by their endurance that their faith is real.  Faith means resting in what Christ has done for us in the past, but it also means hoping for what he will do for us in the future.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

A Tiny Seed of Faith

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
The father instantly replied, “I do have faith; oh, help me to have more!”
(Mark 9:24)

There are times when confronted with the realities of life, like seeing your child physically devastated from a dreadful disease with no known medical cure.  It can really test your faith and beliefs.  But weak faith can become strong faith with God’s help. The attitude of trust and confidence that the Bible calls belief or faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6) is not something we can obtain without help.

Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). No matter how much faith we have, we can never reach the point of being self-sufficient.  Faith is not a resource you can store away like money in the bank.  Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing your trust in Jesus.  Lifting your loved ones up to Him, praying without ceasing with the surety of His promises.


One day the apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it.” (Luke 17:5)
Effective faith depends on God. The disciples’ request was genuinely real; they wanted the faith necessary for forgiveness and the power to forgive.  But Jesus didn’t directly answer their question because the amount of faith is not as important as its genuineness.  Is your faith genuine?

What is genuine faith? It is total dependence on God and a willingness to do his will, regardless of your circumstances.  Faith is not something we use to put on a show for others to see how spiritually faithful you are.  It is complete and humble obedience to God’s will, readiness to do whatever he calls us to do, despite your personal circumstances.

Jesus compared the minimum amount of faith required to move mountains to a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20).  A mustard seed is small, but it is alive and growing. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in God will take root and grow. 

Almost invisible at first, it will begin to grow, first under the ground and then visibly.  Although each change will be slow and gradual, soon this faith will have produced major results even miracles.

We don’t need more faith?,  Jesus says, a tiny seed of faith is enough.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

The Power of Motherly Example

Mea e ‘ai e tatau ma le aso
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God”  (Ruth 1:16)

I know it may seem strange on Mother’s Day to choose a text about a mother-in-law, but most mothers eventually become mothers-in-law.  Naomi is a good example for both.
Why did Ruth leave her own family and go to a foreign land with her mother-in-law?  It seems like a strange thing to do.  As we celebrate this special day for all Mothers.  I’d like you to consider these three points why she did:

I.  Ruth Saw How Naomi Handled Herself in the Family.  It must have been the example that Naomi set as a good mother to her sons. Otherwise Ruth would have returned to her own family.  It is also likely that she saw her as a good wife. Ruth herself became a good wife to Boaz.  It seems likely, that she took Naomi as her role model.  It is also certain that she saw Naomi as a good mother-in-law.  It is important to note, that both Naomi and Ruth were ancestors of King David and therefore ancestors of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

II.  Ruth Saw How Naomi Handled Grief.  The grief was real (Ruth 1:21).  The grief was honest and human (Ruth 1:20).  Still, she did not give up on her faith.  Though she complained against God (understandably) but she still believed in Him.

III.  Ruth Saw That the Source of Naomi’s Strength Lay in her Faith.  We are touched by the phrase “your people will be my people” but the most important words are “and your God my God.”  She saw Jehovah God as superior to the gods of Moab.  This was not because she had no sorrows, no tragedies, or disappointments.  Ruth saw that Noami had this faith in spite of all that had gone wrong.  Life was not easy for them and it may not be easy for us, but faith can live in our hearts even in the most difficult of times.  The story tells of a tough faith—it tells of an indestructible faith.

Naomi gave Ruth a great gift.  The gift of “Faith.”  And Ruth gave Naomi a great gift.  She gave her a child who was the ancestor of Jesus Christ.  Today is the day to be thankful for the things our mothers (and mothers-in-law) have given us.  It is also a day to give something back to them. 

Let us not forget there are also those surrogate mothers: people who filled the role of mother or were a mother figure to children who were not biologically theirs. Many have been blessed by foster mothers and step-mothers, and even by neighbors who provided a mother image when it was needed. Let us be thankful for them and express our thanks to them as well.  May God Bless our Mothers.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa’i

Building for Eternity

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it ” (Luke 14:28)

Our Lord was not referring here to the cost of building materials which we have to count, but to a cost which He has already counted.

The cost was thirty years in Nazareth, three years of popularity, scandal, and hatred, and the unimaginable agony He had to experience in Gethsemane, and finally the assault upon Him at Calvary Mountain—the central point of which all of history, time and eternity, will for ever revolve.

Jesus Christ has already counted the cost.  In the final analysis, people are not going to laugh at Him and say, “This man began to build and was not able to finish” (14:30).
The conditions of discipleship given to us by our Lord in verses 26, 27, and 33 mean that the men and women He is going to use in His mighty building enterprises are those in whom He has done everything.  “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (14:26).

This verse does not literally mean for us to hate our fathers, or families, and love them any less, but it teaches us that the only ones our Lord will use in His gospel building enterprises are those who love Him personally, passionately, and with great devotion—those who put Him first and have a genuine love for Him that goes far beyond our closest relationships on earth.  Those who are tested in fire for their devotion and commitment to His great plan of salvation.

The conditions are strict, but they are glorious.   "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed."  (Revelation 3:18)  He compares them to gold that is refined in fire, where only the purest of gold will shine.

All that we build in whatever ministry we are called to do, is going to be inspected by God. When God inspects us with His searching and refining fire, will He detect that we have built enterprises of our own on the foundation of Jesus? (see 1 Corinthians 3:10–15). Or are we building up the foundation which He has set.?

We are living in perilous times, a time of tremendous personal enterprises, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12)

As the Master Builder, Jesus takes us over so that He may direct and control our wants completely for His enterprises and His plans.   For the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laboures are few.

Jesus said "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.  (John 12:26)

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

Faith In Troubled Times

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

“ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)

Weak faith lacks endurance.  Peter was not putting Jesus to the test, something we are instructed not to do in (Matthew 4:7).  Instead he was the only one in the boat to react out to Jesus in faith.

His impulsive move led him to experience a unusual demonstration of God’s power.  Peter started to walk on water.  And when he started to sink, it was because he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused instead on the waves around him.

His faith wavered when he realized his impossible situation.  We may not walk on water, but we do walk and sometimes stumble through tough situations in life.  If we focus on the waves of difficult circumstances around us without looking to Jesus for help, we too will despair and sink.

To maintain our faith when situations are difficult no matter what,  we must keep our eyes on Jesus,  rather than on your impossible situation.

Weak faith always falters.  Although we start out with good intentions like Peter, sometimes our faith is not enough and it faulters.  This doesn’t mean we have failed.  But there come a time, we need to swallow our pride, re-focus and realize our dire need of a Savior.  Just open up your heart and shout,.."Help Me Jesus!

When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Jesus for help, the only one who could help.  Though he was afraid, but he still looked to Christ his Savior.

When you are compounded by the troubles around you and doubt Christ’s presence and ability to help, you must remember that he is the only one, who can really come to our help.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

The Faith to Persevere

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“Because you have kept My command to persevere ” (Revelation 3:10).

Perseverance means more than endurance—more than holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.”

Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly.  Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now?  Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith.

Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Faith is not some weak, pitiful emotion, but is strong and solid confidence built on the fact that God is love.

And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know Him.  Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is love.

Faith is the supreme effort of your life—throwing yourself with surety and total confidence upon God.
God gave His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to give our all with total confidence in Him.

There are parts in our lives where that faith has not worked in us yet—places still untouched by the life of Jesus. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ’s life, and there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, “This is eternal life, that they may know You ” (John 17:3).

The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything without wavering.  If we will take this view, life will become a great romance—a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful beauty all the time.  God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

Judgment and the Love of God

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God ” (1 Peter 4:17).

The Christian servant must never forget that salvation is God’s idea, not man’s; therefore, it has an unimaginable depth so deep.  Salvation is the great divine thought, manifested love of God, not an experience.

Experience is only the door through which salvation comes into the conscious level of our life, so that we are aware of what is taken place on a much deeper level.

We Christians should never preach the experience—rather, preach the great thought of God behind the experience. When we preach His Word, we are not proclaiming how people can be saved from hell and be made moral and pure; we are conveying the good news about God.

In the teachings of Jesus, Christ stresses the element of judgment be always brought out—it is the sign of the love of God.  We should never sympathize with someone who finds it difficult to get to God; because God is not to blame.  It is not for us to figure out the reason for the difficulty, but only to present the truths of God so that the Spirit of God will reveal to them what is wrong.

The greatest test of any quality of preaching is whether or not it brings everyone to judgment.  When the truth is preached, the Spirit of God brings each person face to face with the reality of God Himself.

If Jesus never commanded us to do something that He was unable to equip us to accomplish, He would be a liar.  And if we make our own inability a stumbling block or an excuse not to be obedient, it means that we are telling God that there is something missing He has not taken into account. 

Every element of our own self-reliance must be put to death by the power of God.  The moment we recognize our complete weakness and our total dependence upon Him, will be the very moment that the Spirit of God will exhibit His power in us.


Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

The Killing of Osama Bin Ladin

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:22)

These past few days, just about every television news channel, featured cover story on the "killing" of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Ladin.  The long search for the man seen as the "embodiment of evil" in the U.S. and much of the West was over.

Details of the killing spurred open response of relief and even celebration on the streets of America.  Several news anchor uncharacteristically displayed almost a  "Super Bowl" like victory support for how Bin Ladin had been tracked down and killed.

How ironic that as notorious as the record may have shown Bin Ladin as a serene and modest man who contained his ego so well in private company, would wind up a megalomaniac on the world stage.

But as alluringly dramatic as this story is displayed in world views, let us not forget to check our Christian views in light of these current events, less we fall guilty and in danger of judgment ourselves. 

Anger is a danger signal. When Jesus said, “But I tell you,” he was not doing away with the law or adding to it his own beliefs.  Rather, he was giving a fuller understanding of why God made that law in the first place. 

For example, when Moses said, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), Jesus taught, “Don’t even become angry enough to murder, for then you have already committed murder in your heart.” The Pharisees read this law and, not having murdered, felt righteous. 

Yet they were angry enough with Jesus that they would soon plot his murder, though they would not do the dirty work themselves. We miss the intent of God’s Word when we read his rules for living without trying to understand why he made them. 

When do you keep God’s rules but close your eyes to his intent?  Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin too because it also violates God’s command to love. 

Anger in this case refers to a seething, brooding heartfelt bitterness against someone.  It is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. 

Anger keeps us from developing a spirit that is pleasing to God.

Remember the word of our Lord, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."  (Matthew 5:44)

Have you ever been proud that you didn’t strike out and say what was really on your mind?  If you answered yes.  Self-control is good, but Christ wants us to practice thought-control as well.  "Judge not, that ye be not judged."  (Matthew 7:1)  Jesus said we will be held accountable even for our attitudes.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

Liberty and the Standards of Jesus

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free ”
(Galatians 5:1).

A spiritually-minded person will never come to you and say—“Believe this and that”; a spiritually-minded person will demand that you align your life with the standards of Jesus.

We are not asked to believe the Bible, but to believe the One whom the Bible reveals (see John 5:39–40). We are called to present liberty for the conscience of others, not to bring them liberty for their thoughts and opinions.  Jesus said, "...Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." In other words, are you teaching biblical truths according to His word, or your own thoughts and opinions?  Because if it is not from Him alone, it will be rooted up.

And if we ourselves are free with the liberty of Christ, others will be brought into that same liberty—the liberty that comes from realizing the absolute authority of Jesus Christ, exemplified and demonstrated in your life.

Always measure your life solely by the standards set by Jesus, never by man.  Submit yourself to His yoke, and His alone; and always be careful never to place a yoke on others that is not of Jesus Christ.

It takes God a long time to get us to stop thinking that, unless everyone sees things exactly as we do, they must be wrong.  That is never God’s view. There is only one true liberty—the liberty of Jesus at work in our conscience mind, enabling and encouraging  us to do what is right.

Don’t get impatient with others.  Remember how God dealt with you—He did with great patience and with gentleness.  But also never water down the truths of God.  Let it have its way in God's good time and never apologize for it.  Jesus said, “Go  and make disciples ” (Matthew 28:19), not, “Make converts to your own thoughts and opinions.”

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

His Resurrection Destiny

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26).

Our Lord’s Cross is the gateway into His life.  His resurrection means that He has the power to convey His life to me.  When I was born again, I received the very life of the risen Lord from Jesus Himself.

Christ’s resurrection destiny—His pre-ordained purpose—was to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10).  The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God and children of the kingdom.

We never have the same relationship to God that the Son of God has, but we are brought by the Son into the relation of Him.  When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life—a life He had never lived before He was God Incarnate.

He rose to a life that had never been before.  And what His resurrection means for us is that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we will have a body like His glorious body, but we can know here and now the power of His resurrection and can “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Paul’s determined purpose was to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).
Jesus prayed, “ as You have given Him authority over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” (John 17:2).  The term Holy Spirit is actually another name for the experience of eternal life working in human beings here and now.

The Holy Spirit is the deity of God who continues to apply the power of the atonement by the Cross of Christ to our own lives.  Thank you Jesus for the glorious and majestic truth that His Spirit can work the very nature of Christ into us, if we will only obey Him.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i