Christians ought to take a “spiritual inventory” throughout Lent and attempt to enhance their relationship with God ahead of Easter, Christian apologist and writer Alex McFarland advised Fox Information Digital.
“In the Gospel of Matthew, the Bible speaks of the value of finding ‘a treasure hidden in a field,’ or the ‘one pearl of great price,’” stated McFarland, who relies in North Carolina.
In these parables, Jesus shared with His followers that heaven is “worth forsaking all to attain.”
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Journeying to discover a literal pearl comes with threat — however not so with looking for the figurative pearl described by Jesus. For Christians following the phrase of Jesus, “there is no danger of tragedy, but only the promise of victory,” stated McFarland.
“In apprehending the true pearl beyond price — a relationship with God — one doesn’t lose their soul, but actually gains it,” he stated.
Pearls, just like the treasure Jesus gives humanity, have been cast in struggling, stated Christian chief and writer Alex McFarland. (Mark Phelps/iStock)
The Bible, McFarland advised Fox Information Digital, tells of “countless souls” who’ve “chosen to opt out” of this reward.
“Jesus is telling us that to invest all in the promised treasures of God is actually the wisest thing we could do.”
Lent offers the proper alternative for Christians to distance themselves from issues which are main them away from God — and to reorient their lives, he stated.
By taking a “spiritual inventory” of their relationship with God, Christians can handle areas the place they’re missing, he additionally stated.
The struggling of Jesus on the cross paid the worth for humanity’s salvation — the “true pearl beyond great price.” (iStock)
“During Lent, Christians pray and give gratitude to God for salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross,” stated McFarland.
“They block out time to read Scripture, doing their utmost to comprehend and comply.”
Lent, stated McFarland, “is a time when believers give extra diligence to discern what the Holy Spirit is prompting them to do — turn away from sin and cease behaviors and attitudes displeasing to God.”
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He continued, “Just as Jesus our Savior (and example) fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, Lent is a time to fast for 40 days from anything on which we’ve bestowed love that belongs only to God.”
The world would expertise large constructive modifications “if all of us lived a life of Lent,” stated McFarland.
“Lent is a word associated with springtime (and) a fresh start,” stated one religion chief and writer, who advises Christians to take a “spiritual inventory” of their religion right now. (iStock)
“Lent is a word associated with springtime, a fresh start — and the days growing longer and having more daylight.”
Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday “is God’s guarantee that a new beginning for this world lies just ahead — and our place in His coming Kingdom is secured by putting our faith in Jesus.”
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Added McFarland, “Pearls, they say, are the jewels created through suffering; The treasures Jesus offers us were purchased through suffering as well.”
And whereas it might be “tempting to give up hope” given what’s going on on the earth right now, “Christ is as close by as a prayer.”
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“Tangible change in our lives can happen, and lasting peace and joy are possible,” he stated.
“Through Lent, we turn away from a fallen world and allow God to change our sinful nature. We recommit ourselves to that most worthy quest: the pursuit of God Himself.”
McFarland is the writer of greater than 20 books, is heard stay each day on the American Household Radio Community and co-hosts the “Truth and Liberty” TV broadcast from Greensboro, North Carolina.
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