Part 3

Truth Can Be Difficult 

     Most New Testament writers were Jewish. There was such a wall between Jews and Gentiles that accepting new "truth" was difficult for many. But God's incomparable love is available for anyone who believes and repents...and follows Jesus.  

    Peter for one was hesitant to mix with Gentiles, but he and the other disciples, and men like Matthew, Stephen, Philip and Mark knew what happened that day of resurrection. Type A personality Saul joined the cause a bit later, when Jesus himself spoke to him from heaven, and gave him the name Paul. 

     These men and others, including women like Jesus' mother and Mary (of Magdala), interacted with Jesus during the 40 days he remained physically on Earth. Thier's is a testimony we can believe. 

     Years later, when Jesus hadn't returned as promised, God employed some of the above to write letters eventually collected as the New Testament. There we learn that we who didn't see the crucifixion and the risen Christ for ourselves, and still believe, will be honored a bit above those who did! 

     In Ephesians chapter 2, Paul the prisoner reminds us that we all (including himself) "were dead in our transgressions and sins, when we followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air" (that would be Satan). 

     But! "Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. It is by grace you have been saved."

     Paul adds, "And God raised (past tense) us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace." 

     What's difficult isn't the resurrection. It is millions of people who will do anything except believe and receive God's love, mercy and grace, begin to grow into his likeness, and look forward to an eternity of incomparable riches. 

Next: Faith required; gift given