"Until we understand the price He paid in blood and the power of that blood to break the back of sin and cleanse us from it, we will never really love Jesus, much less come to know and follow after Him in a wonderfully sacrificial life like His. We can neither love nor know Him without understanding what He suffered, for whom He did it and why."
R. Loren Sandford
The very definition of suffering is to experience something unpleasant. Jesus being scourged, beaten, and nailed to a cross was an unpleasant experience. The Western culture has turned to preaching self-fulfillment, healing, wealth & prosperity, and power instead of the blood of Jesus. The payment Jesus made for mankind is the foundation of the Christian faith. I am all for the 5-fold ministry, the Father's Love teachings, and spontaneous worship services. But, those things cannot save a life, only the blood of Jesus can.
Just look at countries where Bibles are not allowed past the border, churches have to meet in secret, and pastors are confined in prison cells. Does it sound like they have the latest worship cd's, hottest Christian books, and the Christian movies being released into theaters? Some of these Christians will never have access to their own Bible, hear Misty Edwards sing, sit in a teaching session will Bill Johnson, or watch the Christian movie, Courageous.
Here's the kicker! The reality is that people are being sent into America as a mission field. Did you know that? It's true. You would think since we have access to the "latest and greatest" materials and sources that we are safe in the Western world. But, only 18.7 percent of Americans attend church regularly right now and only 2 percent of the Rhode Island population claim to be Christians. New England is now known as the least religious section of the country and Rhode Island has been nick-named "Rude Island".
What has happened to our country? How could a place founded upon Biblical principles become so corrupt? We have ceased telling people about the blood of Jesus, that's why. We have allowed ourselves to be brainwashed to think that the sacrifice Jesus made for the world is too offensive to share in a conversation with people.
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"
Mark 16:15
There is a generation rising up that is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. The cross is offensive to those who won't believe. But, we do not live to please man, but to please God.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:11-12
We had our monthly Awaken service with the young adults last night. We studied the blood of Jesus then went into a time of raw worship. We each took communion individually as we felt led. The point of the service was to think upon what Jesus did for us on the cross. During worship the Lord gave me a new song. The song was about how in birth there is pain, but once you hold your child in your arms you feel so much joy. The Lord spoke to me that his price on the cross was like birthing life into the world. It was full of pain. But, his love for us allowed him to "Finish" it. When we come to accept and understand the price he paid for us, he is filled with so much joy the day we are born again and he gets to wrap us in his arms. So, even in the blood he shed, there is a love song he sang over us like a precious lullaby to us. What greater love is this? He loves you so much.
