The fantasy world allows us to escape
into a realm that gives an individual the upper hand. It levels the playing
field and allows our minds to right the wrongs we witness. We lap it up because
there is a small part of us that would love to be like them. From an early age
in our lives we want to be praised and especially by our fathers. When we
become a Christian the shift is server in so many areas of our lives but the
need to impress our Father never changes, except now we have a new Father and
He is the Father of lights, the creator of the universe. An impossible task if
left to our own devises, but blessed be the name of our beloved Saviour Jesus
Christ, the ONE who made this task attainable. In him we have the ability to
bring glory to God. However, there are some variables we need to consider…
· We have an enemy that will do everything in his power to keep us from
our objective. He uses our old habits to nullify the work of the cross in our
lives. If you were once a compulsive liar, he will get you to fall back into
that behavioural pattern. Or if money was your thing, he lures you with it and
may even trick you into exploiting the gospel for the sake of your carnal
desires. The list is endless, but be wise in your deliberations. See things for
what they are, look into the mirror and ask God to show you who you really are
and then something can be done about it. The Lord Jesus gives warnings in the
book of revelations when addressing the churches and the pattern throughout has
the same emphasis; “he who conquers” will be rewarded and “he who has and ear
let him here what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
· Here is a fact that will come to pass; “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is
in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty
works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew
you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23) – Do we habitual ask ourselves on a
daily basis is my priority the will of my Father and am I sincerely striving to
find the grace I need to overcome the hypocrisy of my life?
· “many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14) – What does this mean? Think of it like this, a group of individuals
respond to the idea of becoming a paratrooper, they like those wings that
decorate a shirt and the prestige it brings. Many enlist for the course but
before long the intense training takes its toll and many wash out. Only a
handful receive the accolade. “Many are called but few are chosen”.
· Therefore, it’s about learning to put off our old natures as we learn to
put on the mind of Christ, It’s imperative, if not, we may find
ourselves standing amongst the many. I don’t know about you but that thought
has often jolted me into action, but by the grace of God here I stand. How
often I’ve had to dust my knees off to seek out God’s forgiveness. “While we
have breathe we have hope.” There can be nothing that carries such weight in
our lives. Family, children and their needs must remain a distant second.
With that now as a
backdrop let us hear Peter’s instruction; “Therefore, preparing your
minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be
brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do
not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who
called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is
written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” “
(1Peter 1:13-16)
There is a cost, we must die
daily, and yes, some will have to die and are dying for their commitment to
Christ but that is nothing new, many have been martyred for the sake of the
Gospel and there will be more just over the horizon. Beloved it will be worth
it all, we have a hope that stretches beyond our wildest dreams, you perceive
that the imagination of the comic book cartoonist have learnt to wet our
appetites, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” The faithful will receive glorified
bodies just like our Saviours glorified body; WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE! Whatever
the cost, let us encourage one another to good works that glorify our heavenly
Father. I have another confession to make, I eagerly long for the day when I
hear the voice of my heavenly Father ushering me into his kingdom, how I long
for that approval and yet in the same breath my gaze will shift to Christ accomplishments
understanding the responsibility which grace has taught me to play my part in
the equation. It’s obvious that we have been saved by grace, which is a gift of
God, but we have our parts to play. We must learn to grow in the grace and the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“To him be the glory both now and to the day of
eternity. Amen.”
Signing off
Tyrone
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