Faith « Old Line Elephant

16Apr/12Off

I Too Am Barabbas

MK of Forward Progress has an excellent post entitled, "I Am Barabbas." We Christians need to be mindful of this simple, yet poignant truth. Below is the text of his post:

He’s barely mentioned in the Bible, and yet his story, maybe more than any other, serves to explain the gospel. He is Barrabas.

Or rather, I am Barabbas.
Here is what we know about this man:

1. He was a rebel. One of his crimes was insurrection; he led a rebellion against the rulers of the land, the Romans.
I, too, am a rebel. Despite the benevolent rule of my King, I have both willingly and by my very nature participated in heinous acts of rebellion against the rightful rule of the God of the Universe.

2. He was a murderer. Apparently during his rebellion against the ruling authorities, someone died, perhaps at his very hand.
I, too, am a murderer. Not just of my fellow man, having wished them harm, but of Jesus Christ whose life I have chanted for through my varied and sundry acts of despicable sin. I have chanted along with the crowd, “Crucify! Crucify!” for I saw Him as a threat to my commitment to my own desires.

3. He, though guilty, was released and an innocent was punished in his stead. Barabbas was shocked to find that somehow, some way, all charges against Him had been dropped. Someone other than him was to die that day, though surely he deserved the punishment.
I, too, have been released. The punishment that was rightfully due to me has been handed down to another. Someone – an innocent man – has been crucified in my place.

I am Barabbas.

You, too, are Barrabas.

And now we stand with this man. Suddenly freed from condemnation. Blinking our prison-darkened eyes in the light of the sun of liberty. Facing the penalty of death, we now surprisingly stand free. Free to work.

Free to enjoy. Free to live. What will I do with this freedom?

And what will you?

Good question.

Tagged as: Barabbas, Christianity, Easter, Faith, Opinion 652 Comments

11Apr/12Off

The Psalms

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers
-Psalm 1:1

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
-Psalm 150:6

I just finished reading all 150 Psalms. They are beautiful, heartfelt, prayers - ranging from the prayer of forgiveness, to joyous prayers of praise. The Psalms remind us how to pray. Boldly, honestly, truthfully, and with the knowledge that the Lord will provide. Trust in the Lord, truly trust in Him and pray about everything. That's what you find here - prayers about everything and anything in life. We need to bring it all to Him and trust He will respond.

I've talked about prayer before and my comments are still valid now. I'll close with an excerpt from that piece:

"If you pray and don't expect exactly what you pray for to happen, why in the world did you pray?" It got me to think of all the prayers I've ever prayed and what I said. Have I doubted what I asked for? Have I always asked with the expectation that my prayer would be answered? Or did I use weasel words to "give the Lord an out?" Have you ever prayed and after asking the Lord for something said, "Or whatever you will, Lord." If so, you are taking the easy way out. I know, because I have done the same.

Constantly, I remembered times in the past where I have not prayed with the full faith of a mustard seed. I can remembered specific moments in life where I've prayed and not fully expected my prayer to be answered exactly as I've asked it. Then I remembered even more - the specific prayers I've prayed with expectation that have been answered - 1) to protect my son while he was in the NICU; 2) to allow my unborn daughter to make it to 37 weeks. Praying those prayers I felt calm and I knew the Lord would provide - and as we begin the 37th week of my wife's pregnancy, it's been proven again that the Lord has provided. I can only imagine if I had prayed with as much faith and as much confidence in the Lord before, what could have happened.

My weakness of faith was holding me back in my walk with Christ - and I am moving forward not allowing this to limit my walk. I have made a commitment to increase my faith and to pray with expectations. I will do so and I hope persons of faith out there do the same.

We can learn from the entire Bible because it is true and it is consistent. The Psalms provide us a LOT of quotes, a lot of truths, and a lot of ideas on how to pray. Read them - all of them.

As I close each of these pieces, I will continue to comment as I read through each book of the Bible. This is no different. I ask you all to join me going cover to cover through the Bible. It's a wonderful experience and worth it. The Word is always worth it.

Tagged as: Bible, Christianity, Faith, Matthew Newman, Opinion, Psalm 236 Comments

9Apr/12Off