A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Edward P. Mason is a member of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Toronto.
Is it not a common thing for one to say to another whom he or she hasn’t seen for a while, or whom one meets in church on Sunday, “Oh, I’m fine, thanks.” … “Yes, the family is well.”… “Well, nothing much exciting has happened lately in my life.”… and so forth? Imagine what would happen to our whole being if we allowed ourselves to be, or sought to become excited about being a Christian, and about our faith.
Just recently, I was studying the Gospels, and when referring to John’s Gospel, my heart leapt for joy as I read the following:
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father (John 14:12).
At that point, I was overwhelmed with the inner realization that our Christian faith is truly alive and exciting because of such promises as those of Jesus above. Surely that should be so for each of us. Just think about it! What an amazing revelation it is that because of God’s love for us, we are redeemed and saved through the death of Jesus, he who is the most precious gift ever given to mankind by God. Not only that, but the Father has willed that his Son lives within each believer. Imagine us being the vessels containing the means of carrying out God’s will, and carrying out Christ’s commands in every aspect of our lives. Not only does God live in Christ, but he lives in us. Also, we are blessed with the inward presence of the Holy Spirit, that great Comforter, Helper, and Revealer of all spiritual truth. Isn’t that exciting? Not only that, but think about other aspects of Christian living. Imagine what it would be like to let go of our own control over our lives, and let God through his Son Jesus, take over. If and when this is done, Imagine what might happen if we then stopped depending so much on human reasoning and human aversion to change to dictate our thoughts and actions, and allowed our Lord to do his will, his works, his wonders and miracles, in ways beyond our imagination. In other words, imagine what it might be like if one surrendered his or her life to Christ, to become truly dependent on him to lead that person into a new life as a new being, into a new world of thought, revelation and spiritual understanding. What a wonderful and blessed challenge for discovery!
Imagine too, amidst the toils, troubles and battles of life, having a new inner peace, an inner source of comfort, guidance and understanding which comes through Christ and the Holy Spirit within. Their living presence girds us to meet the challenges, sickness and suffering in daily living. And through Christ’s beautiful love comes a new and deepening love for humanity.
Imagine, if it is not already so, this could be the new goal for your life. It requires you to step out in faith and turn over your life “lock, stock and barrel” to Jesus for you to experience that true “freedom” beyond anything that is humanly possible to imagine.
Read those two passages from John’s Gospel again. Think about, meditate on, and pray concerning their message to you. Listen patiently for our Lord’s precious voice, and act. Begin to experience the true faith with excitement and the joy that only it deserves, for in it, we have the Saviour of the world; he who is the way, the truth, and the life. Hallelujah!!