Out of the Graveyard

What does Jesus mean to me?

As a Christian everything in my life is wrapped up in my answer to this one question. I challenged you yesterday in the post: The Main Thing to share what Jesus Christ means to you. I never ask of you what I am unwilling to do myself.

I was so disappointed with my "good life" before I encountered Jesus Christ and realized Who He truly is. I felt like the walking dead. Jesus is literally LIFE to me. I wasn't just spiritually sick; I was dead.

I tried to resuscitate myself with work, fame and good works. It took a resurrection; being born again, anew, with a new nature for me to live a thriving abundant life. My eternal prospect changed from utter hopelessness, darkness and despair into wonderful hope.

Bob Mumford is one of my favorite speakers and authors, In his book, Agape Road p. 16 he states a truth: "When Adam and Eve transgressed, it caused a separation between God and His creation, and death came upon all men. (Romans 5:12). The death line represents broken relationship between God and His creation, and as a result, sin, shame and guilt came upon all humanity. The death line is the entrance of sin into the world that alienated us from God, from ourselves, and from each other. Our human response, like Adam and Eve's, was to run, hide, and shift blame."

B.C. (before Christ) life of Kay Martin could be summed up as the "walking dead." Oh, I sounded and looked fine, but in quiet times I knew I wasn't truly alive; and hopelessness crept into my spirit even in the good times. Mumford continues, " Paul, many years later, said, You were dead in your trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1 God, however, transcended the death line by sending us Jesus who came to take us back home to the Father. Our path to God is Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit. We cross the death line by way of the new birth or being born again. Because Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30), and because we are one with Jesus (I Cor 6:17), intimacy is possible. "

Christ came as God Incarnate in order to show us the way home and give us the opportunity to be restored to intimacy with God our Father (see 2 Cor. 5:19).

The journey home is more than salvation; it is His promise (see John 14:21-23). Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." John 14:6

"Animated dust", is what Spurgeon calls us once we are resurrected to new life in Christ.

Jesus' job description was to bring us to the Father, restoring our relationship of love and intimacy that went astray because of the fall.

Hearing a message on God the Father was not a pleasant one for me B.C (before Christ). My folks divorced when I was four. Times were tough and my little toddler mind held no memories of my dad. He died when I was ten with no contacts in those 6 years. I heard all the problems in our family were his fault and "father, dad, papa, etc." were not trusting worthwhile titles in my mind. I thank God for Bob Mumford who also had an earthly father who was not loving and trustworthy for showing me I can trust God, the Father more than anyone else I know or will ever know.

Again read Paul on how dead I really was....Ephesians 2:"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. "

Mumford p. 222 "We were created to respond to the grace of God...Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." The Spirit of God/Jesus Christ is what overcomes everything that is not in line with God." When the old tapes play in my mind, I remember I've been redeemed; I am a new creature in Christ.

So, Jesus Christ "lifed" me from the walking dead...and He brought me "Home to Father God...my destiny."