physical life begins at conception, but what about Spiritual life? Where or
when does that begin? Sadly, many who claim the name of Christian have
really never started to live in Christ. That's more important than you might
think. Many people who claim the name of Christian have never discovered the
peace and security that goes along with that relationship. Stop for a moment
and ask yourself how much peace or security you have in you life (or your
heart). You see, there must come a time when we realize that our peace and
security must not depend upon where we are, how much money we have, how well
we like our job or how secure it is. Our peace and security is not dependent
upon who our friends are, how well our spouse treats us or how much our
mother or father loves us. If we want that peace that surpasses the
understanding of mankind in general, then we need to realize that it comes
only though our relationship with and understanding the promises of God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a familiar name to many. Bonhoeffer was a German
minister thrown into prison by the Nazi's in 1943. He opposed the Nazi's on
both political and Christian principals. In spite of being in this Gestapo
prison, he held regular bible studies and worship services for the other
prisoners. One day when he was in the midst of conducting a service for the
prisoners, two Gestapo agents entered and took him away and he was hung the
next day. A prisoner, a British officer who survived wrote these words about
Bonhoeffer.
"Bonhoeffer always seemed to me to spread an atmosphere of happiness and joy
over the least incident, and profound gratitude for the mere fact that he
was alive. He was one of the very few people I have ever met for whom God
was real and always near.'
On Sunday, April 8, 1945, Bonhoeffer conducted a little service of worship
and spoke to us in a way that went to the heart of all of us. He found just
the right words to express the spirit of our imprisonment, and the thoughts
and resolutions it had brought us. He had hardly ended his last prayer when
the door opened and two civilians entered. They said, "Prisoner Bonhoeffer,
come with us." That had only one meaning for all prisoners, the gallows. We
said good-bye to him. He took me aside [and whispered in my ear]: "This is
the end; but for me it is the beginning of life." The next day he was hanged
in Flossenburg."
Bonhoeffer understand what Paul was talking about when he wrote Philippians
4:4-7. Notice again the words: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say,
Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus." (KJV)
What about you, do you have this kind of peace and security in your heart?
If not, perhaps you need to spend more time with the Saviour and His Word!
Russ Lawson, Messages
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