Cornerstone

Zech. 14:1-11 (9)

I was spellbound as I looked down at the carnage. There laying in my lap was my father’s book which described in word and picture the events that took place during World War II. It showed how his division in the infantry had hopped from island to island throughout the South Pacific.

In the picture that had my attention lifeless bodies carpeted the battlefield. It looked like it would be difficult to pass through the field without stepping on a dead soldier. As I studied the pictures I came to know that this was the trail left by the conqueror.

One day in our future the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords will say it is enough. Those who have rejected Him and rebelled against Him will know the heat of His fury. Those who have scorned Him will wilt before the scorching scrutiny of His examination. All His enemies will be slain.

Only those who have sworn allegiance to King Jesus and who are pleasing in His sight will be left to praise and glorify His name.

At times it seems that the secular pagan has the Christian in retreat. It seems that we are backing up. It seems that we are forced to delay the progress of the kingdom. It seems that we are not victorious. This is when we must recall that the battle is not yet over. The trumpet of God has not yet sounded. The King has not yet mounted His steed. One day Jesus the Captain of our Salvation will look out before Him to see that all are bowing before Him.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Gal 2:17-21 (20)

I have been at the head of a casket many times. Each time as the mourners passed by I tried to see inside of their soul. I have seen them tremble violently. I have seen them cry freely. I have seen them wail mournfully. And yet, one woman made an indelible impression on my mind. Her face was hard and expressionless. I saw hopelessness stamped across her countenance. I later learned that she was terrified of death. To her it was the end of all that she loved dearly. She saw no hope beyond the grave.

The Christian on the other hand looks at physical death from a different perspective. Because Jesus lives we have promise of life forevermore. Thus in explaining the separation that must take place when we turn from a life of sinfulness, Paul uses a meaningful word picture. He gives the paradox of the Christian hanging on a cross in death but at the same time full of abundant life. What does the word picture describe? Our life that is crucified is our past life of sinfulness. The past life of sinfulness and the determination to continue to live a life that is friendly toward sin is also crucified. And yet our life following conversion does not come to an end. Through the resurrection power of Jesus we now have life in Him. This means that our purpose for life is no longer to follow the suggestions of a sinful world but rather to do our best to be always pleasing to God.

Dr. Gayle Woods