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Vreugde te midde van droefheid

Vreugde te midde van droefheid

Die Bybel sê vir ons dat Jesus op die aarde “deur mense verag en verwerp is, ‘n man van smarte en vertroud met lyding. Soos een vir wie die mense hulle aangesig verberg, is Hy verag, en ons het hom nie geag nie” (Jesaja 53:3 NIV 84).

Ons weet dat Jesus se lewe nie een van pret en speletjies was nie, nie gevul met vermaak en afleidende vermaaklikhede, ligsinnige bedrywighede of plesiersoekende afleidings nie. Jesus het mens geword vir die ernstigste redes ooit – om sonde uit te skakel, om rebellie te stop, om leuens uit te roei en om ons Verlosser te wees.

En Jesus het geweet dat om te wen, om sonde uit te roei, om Satan en sy mag van die dood te vernietig (Hebreërs 2:14; 2 Timoteus 1:10), Hy self baie dinge sou moes ly, verwerp en verag sou word en uiteindelik gekruisig word. Hy het geweet dat die pad wat Hy sou stap nie maklik sou wees nie – maar ten spyte van al die hartseer, pyn, stryd en lyding, het ons magtige Verlosser nie gewankel nie.

Hoekom? Omdat Hy werklik liefgehad het. Sy liefde het Sy hart nie op Homself laat fokus nie, maar op wat Sy dade sou bereik en daarom, ten spyte van die pyn van Sy verblyf, “wat vir die vreugde wat Hom voorgehou is, die kruis verdra het, die skande verag het en aan die regterkant van die troon van God gaan sit het.” (Hebreërs 12:2 AFR33).

Te midde van mishandeling, verwerping, verraad, ongeregtigheid, marteling en kruisiging, het Jesus vreugde gesien. Daar was nie vreugde in die ervaring om verraai, vals beskuldig, verwerp, verag, gemartel en doodgemaak te word nie – maar eerder in die vervulling van Sy missie, om te bereik wat Hy kom bereik het. Daar was vreugde in die wete dat Sy keuse om die waarheid van God uit te leef, om volkome lief te hê, om getrou aan Sy Vader te bly, om slegs die ontwerpwetmetodes van die hemel, waarheid, liefde en vryheid te beoefen, ten spyte van Sy mishandeling, Hy hemelse lig sou openbaar. Hy sou die Vader van blaam suiwer. Hy sou die waarheid van Sy eie karakter van onbaatsugtige liefde demonstreer. Hy sou Satan as ‘n leuenaar en bedrieër ontbloot. Hy sou die besmetting van vrees en selfsug wat die mensdom besoedel, vernietig. Hy sou ‘n volmaakte sondelose menslike karakter ontwikkel. Hy sou die geneesmiddel voorsien wat nodig is om elke mens wat Hom vertrou, te red; en Sy optrede sou die middele voorsien om uiteindelik alle sonde, lyding en dood uit God se heelal uit te skakel en sodoende alle dinge tot volmaaktheid te herstel.

En ons kan dieselfde vreugde ervaar te midde van die hartseer en stryd van hierdie sondige wêreld. As ons ons oë gevestig hou op Jesus soos Hy Sy gevestigde oë op die Vader gehou het, en as ons die waarheid van die Groot Stryd onthou (dat ons in ‘n universele oorlog is), die ontwerpwetmetodes van God, en ons krag om lojaliteit aan ons Skepper te kies deur Sy ontwerpwetmetodes op ons eie lewens toe te pas in hoe ons onsself regeer in die aangesig van wêreldse ongeregtigheid, dan kan ons, soos Jesus, weet dat ons ligte in ‘n donker wêreld is, dat ons ‘n getuienis is, soos so baie van God se vriende deur die geskiedenis heen – soos Daniël, Stefanus, Paulus en die talle Hervormers. Ons sal getuig van Jesus, van die God van die hemel, en van die metodes en beginsels van lewe en gesondheid. Ons sal met vertroue weet dat ons hartseer, ons stryd, ons probleme nie kan verhoed dat die hoër doel of impak van die hemel se liefde, waarheid en beginsels deur ons skyn nie; en ons kan die vreugde ken om hemelse lig aan die verlorenes te openbaar en siele vir God se koninkryk te bereik! Ons, soos Jesus, kan die vreugde van doelstelling, die vreugde van sending, die vreugde van die bevordering van God se koninkryk ervaar in die aangesig van aardse smarte, en daardeur weet dat ons dat verbygaande pyn en stryd in God se hand meewerk om die koms van ons Here te bespoedig (2 Petrus 3:12).

So

Kom ons vestig ons oë op Jesus, die outeur en voleinder van ons geloof, wat vir die vreugde wat hom voorgehou is, die kruis verduur het, die skande verag het, en aan die regterhand van die troon van God gaan sit het. Dink aan hom wat sulke teenstand van sondige mense verduur het, sodat julle nie moeg sal word en moed verloor nie (Hebreërs 12:2, 3 NIV 84).

 

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Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous