Tag: Salvation

Death is the great equalizer but there is hope

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Cor 15:20)

Death is the great equalizer. No matter how rich or poor all will face the same fate. We will all die one day. We cannot in and of ourselves escape the grip of death. It’s grasp is too strong for us to break.

There is one, however, who broke death’s grip. That person is Jesus. He died at the hands of the Romans on request of the Jews. Beaten to a bloody pulp, a crown of thorns pressed into His scalp, nailed to a cross, spear pierced His side once His last breath was breathed. Jesus was dead when He was removed from the cross.

Instead of being throne in the city dump, He was laid in the grave of a rich man. Even though a massive stone was rolled in front and guards were stationed at the tomb, Jesus walked out after three days. He defeated death.

Jesus’ victory provides hope. Not just hope for this life, but for the life to come. All those who believe in Jesus will be raised from the dead to eternal life. Death is not the end for Christians. Death is just the beginning of life in a perfect world ruled by a perfect King.

Jesus is the first fruits. He is the beginning. The first to be raised. Will you follow Him? Will you be among the fruit that is gathered into the Kingdom to Come?

The Lord’s mindfulness should drive us to worship

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?” (Ps 144:3)

Tucked in the middle of Psalm 144, as Psalmist both blesses the Lord for His work and asks Him to do more, He is struck with wonder and amazement. We all should be struck with wonder and amazement as well. We should be flabbergasted that the Lord is mindful of us, sinful humans who live in rebellion to Him. It is amazing God cares so much. It is mind boggling that He provides a salvation for a people who hate Him. It is simply amazing!

When we think of the Lord’s concern, care, and provision, like the Psalmist, should be driven to ask the same question — Why does God think of us? Why does He provide for us? Why does He care for us as He does?

The answer reveals our God is a God of love. He loves and cares for His creation. He has compassion on us, providing for us physically and spiritually.

When we consider all the Lord does, we should be driven to praise and bless the Lord.

You are God’s Fellow Worker

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Cor 3:9)

What a privilege it is to be called God’s fellow workers. As believers, we have not only experienced salvation but we are also used as God’s instruments to bring others to faith in Christ as well as to help others grow as disciples of Christ. We are His fellow workers.

If God thinks of us as His fellow workers, we must think of ourselves in the same way. We must not shrink back from Jesus’ command to make disciple-making disciples. We must get to work.

While we must get to work, seeking to accomplish the mission Jesus has set before us, as God’s fellow workers, we don’t work alone. The God of the universe, the All-Sovereign, Creator, and Sustainer of all things works alongside us as we seek to work for Him. We work with the power provided us by God Himself.

Do you recognize you are counted as God’s fellow worker? Do you trust God to empower you for the task of making disciple-making disciples?

Are you able to boast in the Lord?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””

(1 Co 1:31)

You are not a Christian today because you are wiser, more powerful, or from a family worthy of salvation than others you rub shoulders with each and every day. Nor are you a Christian today because you are stronger and popular than others. You didn’t earn, force, or buy your way into right standing with the Lord. Your wits, brilliance and intellect didn’t cause you to turn the Lord over the next person. You are a Christian today because the Father sent Jesus Christ to die for you.

It is Jesus who presents the us with the wisdom of God. It is Jesus who is righteous. It is Jesus who is set apart. It is Jesus who provides us with redemption from the wrath of God. Wrath we deserve because we live in constant rebellion against God. 

When you consider your salvation, you are not to boast in yourself. No, you should boast in the Lord. He is the reason you can call yourself a Christian today. He is the reason you experience salvation from His wrath. 

As Christians, we are to boast in the Lord. Some may boast in their intellect, successfully completed projects, wealth, homes, cars, career success. Other may boast in their atheletic abilities. While the world celebrates these accomplishments, we are to celebrate and boast in the Lord saving us. 

We must cast off what the world values and put on what God values. When we separate ourselves from the world’s values and the things in which they boast, we will be able to boast in the Lord. 

In Christ Jesus we are not condemned!

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1)

What a great promise! Those who are in Christ are not condemned to death, bondage, and slavery to sin. We are free from punishment.

We are not free from punishment due our own merit. Paul makes it clear that the Law — the written code God gave the Israelites to direct their lives, has not saved them but condemned them. It has proven them to be rebels and law breakers who deserve God’s punishment. Under the law, we are condemned. The verdict handed down is guilty. We deserve punishment. The wages of our sin is death.

But thanks be to God that in Christ we are not condemned. We are free from condemnation because Jesus took the punishment of the guilty verdict on our behalf.

If you want to experience freedom to live as you have been designed and a relationship with the Creator of the universe, you must come through Christ. We can’t come through the law or our own good works. Christ is the only way.

In Christ Jesus we are not condemned!

Christian, whose slave are you?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Rom 6:17-18)

If you are a Christian today, you were saved from slavery. Yes, you were saved from slavery. Before Christ you lived in bondage to sin. It held you captive. You were unable to escape its chains. You were led here and there, committing further acts of lawlessness because sin reigned in your life.

Christ has set you free! His sacrifice on our behalf and our belief in Him as Savior broke the chains of sin. Jesus released us from bondage so that we might live upright lives. Lives free from the grip of sin.

Since we have been set free from sin, we should not allow it to dominate us. We should not allow it mastery over us. Instead, we should live as free men and women from the grip of sin.

Though we have been freed from sin, that doesn’t mean we are free. We are either a slave of sin and Satan or a slave of God. There is not neutral middle ground. Having been saved and freed from slavery to sin by Jesus, we should live as if He is our Master. We should live our freed lives as slaves of righteousness.

Slaves of righteousness is that for which we have been created. We were created by God to live according to His will and way. Those who live upright lives, who seek God’s wisdom found in His Word, live with God’s blessing. To experience God’s blessing results in a life of joy despite the external circumstances we experience.

Christian, are you living in your past chains or are you living as a slave of righteousness?