God for Today (and Tomorrow) [revised]

When many people think of God they wonder about His relevance, or desire more than a get out of hell free card (in that case, “I’ll just wait until closer to death before pursuing Him,” they think, which itself is dangerous, c.f. Isa 55:6, “seek the LORD while He may be found.”]).
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I’m reminded of Jesus’ comment in Mk 12:27, that “He [God] is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” In the context of the Resurrection this means He’s the God of those who are spiritually alive in Christ, both those in Heaven along with those on earth. More broadly spun you could say God is not just a God for tomorrow (the afterlife) but for life today.
Here are some examples as to why:

2. Peace with God

The heart of the Bible’s message is that humanity has fallen from its original state of friendship with God and now in sinful rebellion is under His just condemnation. We are God’s enemy. Having an enemy such as this along with the eternal guilt that accompanies it bears heavily upon one’s body, soul and spirit. Suppressing the truth of our condemnation, we seek to evade the thought of this rebellion with still more rebellion. We try to substitute being made for God with other things (e.g. money, sex, power, etc). While some of these things may satisfy for a time they do not do so completely. As such we’re left with anxiety and depression. The only solution that can bring us peace is to become at peace with God through repentance and faith in Jesus. The moment we believe, we enjoy this peace; peace from the penalty of sin, friendship with God. Ro 5:1 says, Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. A New Family

We live in a world that is filled with loneliness, with many people having experienced rejection, loss, brokenness and want of relational satisfaction. When we become a Christian we not only gain God as our friend and Father but all those who belong to Him, especially within the community of the local church. Here we have fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers. We have people who with whom the believer is One, with whom we share a common interest in Christ and His values and purpose. We will never be alone. For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother. (Mk 3:35).

3. A New Purpose

There are many things people live for, even some noble things. However, the noblest thing of all is to live in accord with God’s design for us. Christianity is the answer to our deepest questions of existence: where did I come from (special creation), who am I (created in God’s image), what is wrong with me (sin), what am I here for (to glorify God), where am I going (heaven or hell). We no longer have to aimlessly wonder or wander in regard to our purpose. We are called to worship and serve the Lord (Mt 4:10).

4. New Life

Many people think they are living a full life; however, our fullness can only extend as far as our sin inhibits—not far at all. We’re not living life fully because we’re not living as we were design to live. We’re not living for God and His glory; we’re living for self and today. As a result of not being at peace with God we’re actually spiritually dead. We may think we’re alive but it isn’t even a shadow of what we were created for. Jesus came not only to give us eternal life (Jn 3:16) but abundant life today. “I came that you may have life,” He said, “and life to the full.” (Jn 10:10). This life comes through His Spirit that He gives every believer. We know joy by the Spirit and see everything differently.

5.  Wisdom From Above

Wisdom of practical knowledge about God, life and morality. The world’s wisdom is ever changing and inferior to God’s timeless truths. Not only does the believer gain peace and life but also wisdom. The Holy Spirit is called the “teacher.” He, through Scripture, teaches us in the way of God. When we do what pleases God, we not only honour Him, but life generally goes better for us. Proverbs 3:8 says, “[Wisdom] will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Walking in the Lord’s wisdom brings the steadfastness of truth to our lives that we don’t naturally have in this world tossed to and fro by changing ideas and thought patterns.
 
6. Strength For Today

Life can be difficult, even for Christians. God never promised that it wouldn’t. Believers have been freed from the penalty of sin (through the Cross), are being set free from the power of sin (by the Spirit) and will be freed from the presence of sin when Jesus returns. Yet in the meantime Jesus promised to comfort us through His Spirit’s presence. Christ “dwelling in our hearts by faith” (Eph 3:17) and such promises as “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28) mean that even in the valley of deep darkness the believer can be assured of the Lord’s presence, comfort and strength. All of this increases our relational knowledge of God and produces character. It is only by God’s help that we can persevere through life’s greatest difficulties.

7. Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Yet not only “Strength for today” but “bright hope for tomorrow” as the hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness reminds us. Yes, but I thought we were talking about the here and now, not the future. Indeed, but the future impacts how we live today. The assurance of eternal life means that the believer has hope amidst of the hopelessness of today. One’s belief about tomorrow does shape how we live today after all.

Peace, family, purpose, life, wisdom and hope; these are just some of the present blessings of being a Christian. Christianity is not simply for tomorrow, a future religion interested in the afterlife, but for today, highly relevant and practical.

Would you “call upon Him while He while He is near” today through faith in Jesus and receive all of his benefits, salvation today and tomorrow.