Unwavering Faith Series

(The preposition dia with the accusative normally means "because of, on account of. It gives the reason for something having happened, a retrospective look.)

The two great truths of the gospel are that Christ died as a sacrifice for our sins and that He rose again for our justification. Whoever from the heart believes these things shall be saved (Rom. 10:9). The denial of the substitutionary death of Christ or His bodily resurrection is a denial of the gospel. It is refusing to be saved by the only way open to us, the way of faith in the Lord Jesus.

At the Louvre in Paris the finest TAPESTRIES in existence are on display. Among them are two that are of particular interest. They hang opposite each other in the great room. The first tapestry represents the death of Christ. He is on the Cross as a sin-bearer. The penalty of sin has been exacted from Him. Christ, paying for our sins, was killed.

The tapestry on the opposite side shows us Christ in resurrection from the dead. It is a triumphant work of art. The Christian feels anew the victory of the resurrection, and beyond the art, feels the thrill of the stupendous fact. It is little wonder that a great English preacher, Dr. Dale, ran from the room at one time, crying, "He lives! He lives! Christ lives!" The realization of the resurrection had been bourne in upon him.

It is a wonderful thing that in a world of decay and death there is One who lives - and because He lives, we shall also live.

His death was necessary that our offenses might be put away before God. As Roman's 4:25 says, "He was delivered for our offenses." His resurrection was necessary for our justification."

We rejoice at this old truth told in that old tapestry. The work of Christ is not only woven in the fabric of tapestry, but also in the fabric of time, and can never be erased.

CONCLUSION

If we are trusting the Lord for our eternal destiny, it makes sense that we take Him at His word in our lives today also. In the book The Life of Robert and Mary Moffat, edited by their son, we are reminded that for ten years the early mission in Bechuanaland was carried on without encouragement for the faithful workers. No convert was made. The directors at home began to question the wisdom of continuing the mission. A friend from England sent word to Mrs. Moffat asking what gift she should send out to her. And the brave woman of faith wrote back, "Send a communion service; it will be sure to be needed."

At last the breath of the Lord moved on the heart of the Bechuanas. A little group of six were united into the first Christian church, and that communion service from England, singularly delayed, reached Kuruman just one day before the appointed time for the first administration of the Lord's Supper. -- London Missionary Society

May we too grow strong in faith. Because Jesus lives let us not grow weary in our labors but know that we too shall reap for God always fulfills His promises, in His time & in His way.

He lives triumphant from the grave,

He lives eternally to save,

He lives all glorious in the sky,

He lives exalted there on high,

He lives my hungry soul to feed,

He lives to help in time of need! -Samuel Medley