"The Narrow Road": Blogs By Shane Kastler

Is The Gospel Foolish?

  “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB)

Many people in this world find the gospel foolish. Maybe if you’re honest, there was a time in your life when you found it foolish also. Maybe you even find it foolish now. Think about it. A man named Jesus lived 2000 years ago, and somehow because he was crucified as a criminal people have the chance to spend eternity in Heaven. On the surface, does that sound odd? Does it not make sense to you? Does it sound foolish? Now let’s explain it a little deeper.

We are sinners. God is perfectly holy and just. For a sinner to gain entrance into Heaven he must be perfect and his sins must be paid for. God’s standard is perfection and His justice requires a payment for wrongs committed. The problem for us is that the Bible teaches “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) thus disqualifying us from Heaven. Because of sin we deserve nothing but God’s judgment in eternal Hell. Now the cross enters the picture.

Jesus, who was (and is) God became a man and “dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He was the only man to ever live a perfect, sinless life. Then he died a sacrificial death upon the cross. For those who repent of their sin and place their faith in Christ as Lord forgiveness is attained. Because God grants those “in Christ” credit for his perfect life. Then His justice is fulfilled because He punished Jesus upon the cross as a “substitute” for those who rightfully deserved God’s wrath.

To those who are perishing, this whole thing sounds ridiculous. But to those saved by the grace of God, this whole things sounds like a glorious and merciful manifestation of God’s power. So how does the gospel sound to you? If it still sounds foolish then keep reading God’s Word. Keep praying for God to make His plan clear. And start regularly listening to someone who accurately preaches the truth of the Bible. Eventually, by God’s grace, you too may see the power of God and the Divine wisdom of the cross.

Thy Will Be Done

“And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39 NASB)

It would probably not surprise you to hear that God wants us to pray to Him. However, it might surprise you, to know why He wants us to pray to Him. Believe it or not, God doesn’t desire your prayers because He’s confused about what needs done in your life. No doubt you have many needs, as all people do. And by all means you should bring those needs to God in prayer. But in all of your prayers, never forget the petition that Christ made while praying in the garden: “Thy will be done.”

As Jesus prayed in the garden, he was facing something far worse than you and I could ever imagine. The next day he would be crucified. And while the physical pain he was to endure would be unimaginable…the spiritual pain would be even worse. For during that time, while Jesus hung upon the cross, he would be separated from His Heavenly Father. Because during that time, rather than having perfect communion with one another, the Father would pour His righteous wrath out upon the Son, in order to pay the price for sinners like you and I. That’s what the cross was all about. And when you consider what Jesus would face, you can see why he prayed that the cup might pass from him. But his ultimate prayer was this: “Thy will be done.”

Your prayers should be the same way. Ask, but submit. Seek His will, but be willing to accept it when His will is not the same as yours. True prayer doesn’t involve us telling God how to run the world. It involves God telling us how to live our lives.

Jesus fulfilled the Father’s perfect plan for our redemption. But you and I must turn from our sin in repentant faith and give our life to Christ if we are to take part in that redemption. Otherwise, you perish in eternal Hell because of your sins.

We can be saved because Jesus the Son was obedient to God the Father. He prayed “Thy will be done” and then He did it. Make the commitment to follow Christ as Lord today. And make the commitment to pray like Jesus did. God doesn’t need your counsel…but you and I desperately need His.

What Awaits Beyond The Grave

(Note: This article is scheduled to appear in the October 7 edition of the Linn County News.)

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21 NASB)

Death is the great unknown. And for the majority of people in this world, it is their greatest fear. When you stop and think about it, much of your life is spent avoiding death. The way we live; the things we do; the food we eat; and the dangers we avoid all have to do with prolonging our life and dodging death. There’s nothing wrong with trying to live a long and healthy life. But if you are a Christian, then there is also no reason to fear death.

Deep down inside, everyone knows that their life on earth will not last forever. Death looms over the horizon for each and every one of us. For some it may be many decades away….for others it might be a few days away. Does the thought of dying appeal to you? Probably not. But what about the thought of what awaits on the other side of the grave?

For those who have turned from their sin in repentance and placed their faith in Christ as Lord; eternal joy awaits. Jesus spoke of Heaven as a place where no pain, death, sickness, or sorrow can enter. Heaven is a place where no sin exists. In fact we won’t even have the capability, nor the desire to sin in Heaven. For those who long to please God, that sounds glorious. And it will be.

But those who reject Christ in this temporal world won’t experience Heaven after they die. They will spend eternity in Hell. As glorious as Heaven is…Hell is just as miserable. The sin of rejecting an infinitely glorious God is an infinitely heinous crime. And will thus require an eternal punishment. Maybe you think eternal Hell is too harsh. If so, it’s because you don’t think much about God’s holiness, and you don’t think your sin is that big a deal. But it’s a big deal to God. So big in fact that He sent His very own son, Jesus Christ to pay the price for those who would turn to Him.

So what will it be with you? Heaven or Hell? Jesus or the World? Eternal joy or eternal torment? Life or death? Turn to Christ in repentance and faith today. Tomorrow might be too late.