1997-04-09 - God Does What Only God Can Do
Today I want to look at John Chapter 11 and the raising of Lazarus from the grave. Lets see how this applies to our life today. All verses today are from the NIV.
John 11:38,39 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone", He saidJohn 11:43 When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen , and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go.
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Notice Jesus asks for the people to do what they can do. He asks them to remove the stone. He asks them to take off the grave clothes. Also notice that Jesus does what only He can do; Jesus brings life to Lazarus. Jesus brings life to you and I.
Are you doing what Christ is asking you to do in your life? Are you doing your part? What "stones" in your life are blocking you from Christ? What "stones" need to be rolled away to enter into a full and abundant relationship with Christ? Don't worry; you are not alone.We all have them. Stones of envy, pride, guilt, unforgiveness, self-centeredness, etc.
2 Cor 5:7 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Christ put new clothes on us when we accepted Him as our Savior. It's up to us to remove the old grave clothes. It's up to us to peel away the clothes of our past and live in His new clothes. God does only what Only He can do. After all, God doesn't brush our teeth for us. ; ) Being "Born-Again" is not the ending; it's the beginning! The beginning of a lifelong journey of removing old ways and living the new, free life Christ promise us in Him.
Dear Father, Thank you so much for giving us new life in Christ. Thank you for reviving us from the death of sin. Thank you so much for doing what only you can do Lord. We ask that you help us do our part. Lord, forgive us for clinging to our old grave clothes, forgive us for not removing all the stones blocking us from a closer relationship with your Son Jesus. In His precious name we pray, Amen.