Feelings (Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!)

Romans 6:1-7

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin."

There was a song, a terrible one, that was sung in the '70's and its chorus had this howl of despair from the singer that went like this: "Feelings! Whoa, whoa, whoa feelings!"

Well, the reason I write about feelings is because there are Christians out there who are like crazy barometers of pathos. If they are feeling good then their faith is good; conversely, if they're down, then their faith is down, too. It's quite a roller-coaster ride if you fall into category. Almost like a bipolar believer!

All jesting aside, this unstable Christian walk is a serious matter in that believers who go through emotional unravelings begin to question their salvation or begin to question God.

Your position in Christ, however, has nothing to do with your feelings. Rather, it has everything to do with the fact that is revealed in Ephesians 1:7: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

Are you going to trust your feelings or something you may have been taught in the past? Or are you going to trust what the Word of God says about His provision for your salvation?

In Romans 6, we learn the foundational truth that when we accept Christ as our Savior we are baptized into Christ Jesus. This is not water baptism, although water baptism is a symbolic portrayal of this fact. Instead, Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit immerses us in Christ Jesus, identifying us with Him and sealing us in Him forever.

Verse 4 asserts, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

There really is no adequate way to explain this transaction because our minds cannot fathom the infinite depths of the omniscient mind and wisdom of God. Yet in Ephesians 1 repeatedly affirms that we are "in Christ," or "in Him."

God's word, Friend, is fact and not opinion. If you're seeking an opinion go to a doctor or the Op-Ed pages of your favorite newspaper. Here, we're talking about the eternal truth that will stand the test of time. To wit, in Mark 13:31 Christ declared, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

Do you believe this today, dear Christian?

Ephesians 2:4-6 adds this gloriously unfathomable security: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"

You see, we understand in part, but one day everything shall be made known (I Cor. 13:12).

God has reserved a permanent residence for us with Him in heaven (Jn. 14:1-3). Our eternal destination is both decided and sure.

So, stop living your Christian walk by placing your faith in your feelings and put your entire faith in God' word. The quality of life you'll live as a believer will be determined by where you'll put your trust in. Remember, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17)

Put Your Faith In Jesus Christ Today!

I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all of my worries are vain.

Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

I know that He safely will carry me through,
No matter what evils betide;
Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,
If Jesus walks close to my side.

Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

Part of this post courtesy Dr. Charles Stanley