Simply the Bible Blog

“Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose from the grave today, and is coming back tomorrow.”

–Theodore Epp

Yesterday I prayed, “Father, help us make the name of Jesus famous in our community.” In the night I had a strange dream where I was being interviewed by a news correspondent. I spoke of my belief that we are living in the last days and quoted sections of 2 Timothy 3.1-4:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…”

After waking up, I thought of the above quote by Theodore Epp. What would happen if we really lived this way? I would like to propose a challenge. Rather than this blog simply being the expressions of me alone, I would like it to be more interactive. In fact, if you would join with me in this challenge, let’s see what happens if we aim to really live this way every day for one week. But then let’s share our results. You can do this by simply commenting on the blog. If you read this on Facebook, please don’t comment on Facebook, but go to the actual blog and click on “Leave a Comment.” That way it will become a permanent part of the blog.

That said, let’s give the challenge some consideration. Take the first part: how would it really impact our lives today if Christ had died yesterday? We know that the disciples at that time were extremely sorrowful. All their hopes and aspirations had been dashed. They looked at the cross as ultimate defeat. The Lord they loved was dead! This attitude comes out in the dialogue between the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and Jesus (although they didn’t recognize Him). They were BUMMED! But consider what Jesus finally said to them:

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24.25-26, NKJV)

They were bummed because they did not believe. Had they believed then they would have rejoiced because they would have known that their sins were now forgiven! They could freely and boldly enter into the very presence of God! The death of Christ had brought them the spirit of sonship with the Father!

Are you rejoicing today in what Calvary means to you? Or have you lost the joy of your salvation?

Let’s generate some creative ideas. How can we really live today as though Christ died yesterday?