As I was speaking with a police investigator, he looked tired but steady. I asked how he was doing and did his eyes close at night, knowing what he must see each day. His answer, by God's grace. He said the average citizen has no idea but he pointed to Christ and to his church and his pastor that supports him and prays for him. This investigator encouraged me that day. It has been over 2000 years since the darkest day in history, and then The Light pierced the darkness. Jesus defeated death and is now sitting at the right hand of The Father. The Pharisees, soldiers and the enemy thought they destroyed Christ and His message. All that is within me wants to say, nana nana boo boo, jokes on you. Jesus Christ and His people are not going away. The church is not dead. Legislatures, District Attorney's, cafeteria workers, school bus drivers, business women, principles, school board members, the corner barista, the stay at home moms, police, pastors and teachers, disciples of Jesus are everywhere. In our vocations and in our daily lives, whatever sphere of influence we have, faithful servants of the living God, pushing back the darkness. By the working and power of the Holy Spirit, we bring the Good News of the gospel of Jesus with salt and light, truth and grace. The army is not just rising up, nope, we are already here. Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
Jesus has told us, a little while, and you will see me no longer and again a little while, and you will see me John 16:16.
In a little while.
The enemy knows his days are drawing to a close and oh how he is fighting. His tricks are not new. He has no new weaponry. He is fighting for hearts and souls by making that fruit look so good. He makes something that goes against the truth of God's Word look so easy and beautiful. He makes it feel so good and right. No temptation has over taken except what is common to man. 1 Cor. 10:13. The enemy knows, when sin is fully grown it brings forth death James 1:15. Death to the spirit. His elect, that have trusted in the Savior King, he will try to render us useless for the Kingdom of Heaven. The lies of shame and guilt and our pride, insecurities and selfishness can paralyze us. We can grow weak and weary. He will try to dismantle unity among believers any way he can to stop the Kingdom of Heaven. Dear ones, if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. Rom. 8:11. The same Spirit of the living God that defeated death is in us. Jesus said, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works that these will he do because I am going to the Father.... And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son John 14:12-13. Would Jesus tell us we would do greater work if He could not do greater works? God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). We live in Him by the power of God. He sent us a helper, an advocate, a teacher, His power in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of truth that the world does not accept, see Him or know Him, but Believer, you know Him. His Spirit testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God. Because He lives, we live and have direct access to the throne through Jesus our Lord. He wants people to come to know Him more and more. He wants the church to glorify His Great Name. The perfect Lamb of God, while we were yet sinners, He died for us and on the third day was risen so that we could be with Him forever. Repentance and forgiveness of sins could now be proclaimed. If you know Jesus, you are a witness to the glorious grace. You are a witness to life in Christ.
In a little while, we will see Him.
Take it from a person who can sometimes feel the "in a little while" means I have to go save the world now. I have to change the world now. How He has taught me in His great mercy, our witness, ministry, impact, is not the goal. Christ is the goal. Our witness to this great grace is an outflow of our relationship with the Savior King. Ministry is received from The Lord, anything else will turn to ashes. Christ is the one we proclaim, for this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works in me (Col. 1:39), How I wish I could grab your face and implore you to be consumed by Jesus. Let your hearts burn for Jesus, in His presence is fullness of joy. The only way to endure this world is eyes focused squarely on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Sink deep into the Word of God, keep His commandments to love Him and love each other, trust in the Holy Spirit to teach you and help you, seek the face of The Lord. Humbly ask Him to do great works in His Name, so that He may be glorified. Behold the beauty of The Lord. He did not go through crucifixion for us and triumph over the cross to get to us, in the place of us, so we would live in defeat, crushed under the weight and struggles in this world until He returns. Just as we receive Christ Jesus as Lord, we continue our lives in Him (Col 2:6). The Kingdom of God is at hand. He came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly as the message about Christ fills our lives. There is an army of The Lord already here. He is in you. Rise up. Keep rising.
In a little while, we will see Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment