PURPOSE DRIVEN LOVE (# 2)

It should not surprise us that the narrow straight way to eternal life is difficult and wrought with trouble, adversity and pain – in a word, bad -- for these are the Grace-Builders that enable the crucified life, that in death of Self Christ’s new life might spring forth. The roaring lion still prowls earth but he must make a road trip to the throne of God before he can devour anything... before he can so much as touch a numbered hair. God allows in His wisdom what He could easily prevent in His power. Job understood  the “givings” and takings” of the Lord, accepting both good and bad providentially, with “though He slay me” trust, and never sinned with his lips by blaming  God, (Job 1:21-22; 2:10; 13:15). Job understood... we need to understand also. The Master Potter’s love is released in the creative pressure of His hands... ever molding... always shaping, nothing in our life is without purpose, for God never wastes bad. We need only gaze upon the baffling, horrendous cross of our Savior to understand we are Bone of His Bone and Flesh of His Flesh: We are Baptized into Christ... baptized into His death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of His resurrected life... conformed into Christlikeness. God never said it would be easy, but He did say we would not have to walk this way alone...