Let’s say, for the sake of argument (<< figure of speech), that you feel like the whole world is closing in on you. And let’s say that you listen to and watch “news,” but the more you see and hear, the more confusing it is. And, finally, let’s say it all makes you feel generally cast down in this world.
Here’s how a couple of dictionaries describe “cast down.”
One simply says it means “depressed.” Another says 1. to throw something to the ground…and 2. to lower something. OK, those all make sense, depending on what you’re talking about. And when you feel confused and like the whole world is closing in on you, it can probably feel like you’re cast down to the ground. Right?
But here’s the thing…
Those feelings can either crush you or help you to look for powerful help. The kind of help that can remove despair and hopelessness. And the kind of help with the promise of perfection. That sure beats getting crushed.
In 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 the apostle Paul talks about how “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us”. The earthen vessels he’s talking about are our bodies. But what’s the treasure? Well, he mentioned it a little earlier in his letter.
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Yeah, that’s right.
The knowledge of the glory of God is a huge treasure. Because it means you and I can live forever, if we choose.
And Paul points out how we’re “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, we are perplexed, but not in despair…persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down (aka cast down), but not destroyed”. That describes what mentioned in the “for the sake of argument” section, before.
Did you get that last part? It means just because you’re down doesn’t mean you’re out. Because Jesus provided Grace. So, you’re in control of your own life. And you have freedom to choose life or death.
When you put your faith in the love and life of Jesus, your body might still be pounded down to the ground. But your actual life will not be destroyed.
Because you will live forever.
But it’s crucial to realize that you might not have years left to find out if the Christian claims of eternal life are true. And you might not have months left to determine whether or not the Christian God is real. You might not have days left to decide to trust in the Creator of the universe. And you might not even have hours left to ponder whether true love exists and where it came from.
But while there is still breath in you, you DO have time to choose where you’ll be forever.
You can’t run away from real truth.
And every word of truth is a knife.
A captivating voice might pigeonhole your choice.
Cut free…and choose life.
Stay tuned,
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