Skip to main content

Layman's Terms

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."--Galatians 6:14

 I was challenged this week to try and explain the story of the good news of Jesus in layman's terms.  Let's just say it was difficult.  So much of how I relate to people about Christ is through Bible verses.  I'm not claiming it's bad to know scriptures.  I am trusting in their power to not return empty, but what is equally important is that I understand them in a personal way.  

 So I then got to thinking, have I begun to take for granted the revelation of Jesus Christ that was given to me by the Father? (John 6:44)  In some ways, the miracle that I have found relief from suffering because of Jesus is old news--but oh how I wish it wasn't!  

 As I began to dial back my explanation of how I have peace through Jesus, Galatians 6:14 ran through my mind.  Might I not boast in anything but the death and resurrection of Jesus!  I no longer owe anything to this world.  I'm free from its prison.  The conversation changed after that and rightly so.  All I cared to know or understand was Jesus, and the cross, and the empty tomb.  

 In other words, let's keep this simple, folks. 

 PS--A favorite book of mine about this is "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper.  It's a doozy of a read, but very rewarding.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tucker's Birth Story

Tucker Jason Rhys was born on October 30th, 2023 at 3:18pm in the afternoon though I say his birth story started four months earlier in June.  In June we were packing up our family and lives in Africa to come back to America for a year. With two small kids and me being six month pregnant, Steven and I still thought it would be worth the effort to stop in Paris for a layover and do a couple Frenchy things like eat a croissant and see the Eiffel Tower.  It’s a “perk” of the job I tell myself—every flight path inevitably goes through Europe. We booked tickets that took us through Paris and then onto America. After booking everything we hit a snag—Farrah’s passport was set to expire in September and apparently France requires three months of validity left on a US passport before giving a visa to visit their country. She only had two months left before she needed to renew hers. (I'm getting to the birth, I promise…) Up until that last week on our island as we were packing our bags ...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Case You Were Curious

The feat of writing a post and explanation for what happened this past weekend has kept me from even attempting it for some days now.  How do you describe miracles but not as to cheapen the treasure of their testimony? First I must begin to explain who this man Steven is, and who he someday will be.  Skeptical, I have been for some years now which is why I categorize his existence as a miracle. He is strong.  Meek.  Authoritative in speech, and yet the most gentle of men.  He hates all the usual things like Wal-Mart and loves all the usual authors like G.K. Chesterton.  His brokenness before the Lord was what set him apart from the crowd for me.  I honor this man with words of encouragement. "Steven, you are dearly loved and anointed by Jesus.  Not because you have done great things for Him, but because your heart longs to make Him the focus.  You know He is good even in the desert seasons.  You have chosen Jesus.  You have a ...
6 comments
Read more

Let's Run!

I am tired of making the Christian life look good.  I might as well wear the t-shirt that says "Christians have more fun".  When Jesus said we could have life to the full (John 10:10), I am told He was not wearing the t-shirt.  If anything His shirt would say "fullness of life found here".  It's futile of me to think we Christians need to persuade the world that we love our lives.  In fact Paul said, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."--1 Corinthians 15:11  If indeed Jesus has been raised, then my living is not empty.  I fix my eyes on the prize.  That prize is not less drinking, fewer swear words, and a "good job" from morality at the end of the day...it is El Shaddai, God all sufficient. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to ...
2 comments
Read more