Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You. John 17:1
Once again the celebration of Easter is upon us. This often entails Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter services that include special choral numbers and solos. While I have participated in the past, appreciate the artistry, and do not doubt the faith or the worship of those involved, I’m not a fan of those services. I much prefer more quiet times of worship that offer opportunities of introspection, a greater understanding the sacrifice of our Savior and of God, or a call to draw near to God in unified worship. It’s not that I am opposed to celebrating Easter, it’s just that I prefer to do it by focusing on the need for salvation, the reconciliation that Christ’s sacrifice provides, the broader scope of redemption, and the glory of God.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23 is a basic statement of fact. I fear that for those of us who have been Christians for some time, the weight of this truth may have been lost because we have heard it often. In one simple sentence we see both the worst and the best possible outcomes for our souls. Our sin demands destruction and punishment unlike anything that we know or can comprehend which includes eternity without God as well as the hope that He provides. It is a very dark and foreboding existence. Juxtaposed to damnation is the greatest possible gift: salvation from what we are due, a relationship with God through Christ Jesus, and an eternity of enjoying the presence of God. Fully appreciating both helps us to turn from our sinful ways, seek God with our whole heart, and become effective ambassadors for Him.
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Sadly, I have seen passages like Romans 6:23 used as a scare tactic to “save someone”. Christ didn’t preach “fire and damnation” to terrorize people into Heaven. Instead He spoke plainly of the wrath of God due for those who refuse to accept our Father’s gift of salvation and offered as an alternative “Living Water”, “the Bread of Life” as well as “The Way, the Truth and the Life”. The call to salvation is not primarily about escaping Hell, but rather being reconciled to God and having our souls purified, refreshed, nourished and guided. Merely escaping Hell leaves us as spiritual refugees or estranged family members. The thrust of Christ’s ministry, death and resurrection was to remove the consequence of sin and reconcile us to God so that we can have a relationship with our Creator, Sovereign and Father.
Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:14
To be sure, those of us who have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation have been redeemed from our “lawless deeds”; however, redemption has a much broader scope than escaping the wrath of God. Not only does Christ redeem us from our sins, but also redeems our sins and our trials. In Christ they become implements to accomplish good deeds. Consider a drug addict who accepts God’s gift of salvation, turns from addiction and becomes a counselor to help others do the same; or a woman who loses a child, endures through the grace of God, and encourages other women in similar circumstances. These and many others having repented or endured possess the necessary background to empathize, speak with authority, and guide others so that they too can turn from sin or endure great trails of their faith. Redemption from sin is a starting point not an end in and of itself. We have been purified so that we may become zealous workers in the family of God.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
In Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, He asks that God the Father would glorify Him so that Christ could return glory to the Father. It is this cyclical process and the close relationship of God the Father and God the Son which allows for mutual glory. If we are to be like Christ, we too should desire to glorify God. Our praise to God as we worship is certainly intended to glorify Him, but we should not restrict the glorification of God to our praise. Rather, we must also emulate Christ by living our lives in humble service of our Lord so that God is glorified in us and by others.
Celebrate
Easter is certainly worth celebrating. As you move through this weekend: consider the gravity of your sin and the immense sacrifice of Christ to provide the gift of salvation; be grateful for the reconciliation that the work of Christ has accomplished for you and allow the Holy Spirit to purify you that you may enjoy a deeper relationship with God; allow every aspect of your life to be redeemed that you may be fully equipped and zealous to complete the work that God sets before you; and glorify God not only in words, but also in every deed as you live to serve Him. If you have not accepted Christ as your savior, celebrate by doing so and allow God to make you a “new creation” and an ambassador for the kingdom of God.