God, even the Father" (Ephesians 5:20). In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). First of all then I urge that thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men" (1 Timothy 2:1).
We can do this meaningfully, only when we have seen the absolute sovereignty of God.
God cares for us as He cared for Jesus. The same grace that helped Jesus, the same power of the Holy Spirit that enabled Him to overcome, is now available to us.
Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied Him, His disciples forsook Him, the multitude turned against Him, He was unjustly tried, falsely accused and led out to be crucified. And yet on the way to Calvary, He could turn to the multitude and say, "Stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children" (Luke 23:28).
There was not a trace of self-pity in Him.
He knew that the cup that He was drinking had been sent by His Father. Judas Iscariot was only the messenger who had brought the cup. And so He could look at Judas with love and call him "Friend." You won't be able to do that, unless you have faith in the total sovereignty of God.
Jesus told Pilate,
You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above (John 19:11).
It was this assurance that enabled Jesus to walk through this world as a king, with dignity. He lived with that spiritual dignity and died with that same spiritual dignity.
Now we are called to "walk as Jesus walked." As He "testified a good confession" before Pilate, we too are to make our confession before an unbelieving generation.
Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:13, 14
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we have already seen, the ultimate good that God is working towards is to make us partakers of His nature, of His holiness. In His marvellous sovereignty, He makes use of everyone who crosses our path, to fulfil His purpose. That's why we can give thanks for ALL men.
Why does God allow that troublesome neighbour, that nagging relative and that tyrannical boss to keep harassing you? He can easily remove them elsewhere or even take away their lives, and thus make life more comfortable for you. But He doesn't do any such thing. Why? Because He wants to use them to sanctify you. He may even want to save them - through you.
Praise God that our victory is never dependent on the type of people we are surrounded by - whether in our home or office or anywhere else. Our victory is entirely dependent on God's grace. And that grace can be ours in every situation, if we humble ourselves.
Be the first to react on this!
Zac Poonen ( - Present)
God called brother Zac Poonen to a new work early on in his Christian experience. The movement is now called Christian Fellowship Churches where the New Covenant of New Testament Christianity is clearly preached.Brother Zac Poonen has written 25 books most of them being on the deeper Christian life. Many of these have been translated into a number of languages and have been circulated widely around the world. He clearly and passionately shares the narrow way of Christian discipleship that is neglected by so many modern preachers.
Recommends these books by Zac Poonen:
Through The Bible by Zac Poonen
The Final Triumph-A verse by verse study of the book of Revelation by Zac Poonen
Beauty for Ashes by Zac Poonen
Zac Poonen is a former Indian Naval Officer who has been in full time ministry in India for nearly 50 years as a Bible teacher and preacher. He holds responsibility for a number of churches in India and abroad. He currently pastors the Christian Fellowship Church in Bangalore, Karnataka.
He has written more than 25 books and numerous articles in English - which have been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. His messages are available on audio and video format.
Like the other elders in his church, Zac Poonen also supports himself and his family through what he describes as "tent-making" and does not receive any salary for his services. He does not receive any royalties for any of his books, CDs or DVDs, that are published by Christian Fellowship Centre, Bangalore.