| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net Are you Saved? (there I lost about half of you). What does that mean? Saved from what? And more importantly, in favor of what? I confess, a bad trait of mine is to try to manipulate through a series of intentional questions, a desired response from the people I get to teach. But let's (in the interest of time) forgo this process and cut to the chase. Fasten your pew-belts. God doesn't save you to go to heaven. What? Nugget: If you have savingly believed In Him, you will no doubt live with Jesus in heaven, forever; but that's a bi-product. A wonderful, incredible, indescribable unfathomable bi-product, and would be enough of a motivator in and of itself (especially considering the alternative -see 2nd Cor. 5:11) - But - That's not primarily why we are saved. Stay with me, and we'll endeavor to turn The Spiritual Switch. Jesus said: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10. So, as we leave Christmas and approach Easter, let's acknowledge the fact that when Jesus was in the manger, the shadow of The Cross was upon Him. Next step = "....: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." John 20:21. In 2nd Cor. 5:18-20, we read - "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:......" This is not an obscure doctrine. All the Spiritual Gifts we like to fuss about were given us to "profit withall" or everyone but ourselves. Even the standards we kick against, the behavior or "good report" we are to strive for isn't so we can look down our nose at others who we don't think measure up, but so that Jesus will be glorified (lifted up) and thereby Jesus will - "draw all men unto myself". John 3:14 and 12:32. When Jesus was about to ascend in Acts 1, the disciples asked Him if He would now restore Israel; would He push out the Romans and reestablish the Nation. His response? (I paraphrase), "Don't worry about that. You are about to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon/into you, and you will be my witnesses ---" to what end? If we appropriate the Mind of Christ Phil. 2:5, then "It is not my Father's will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance". 2nd Peter 3. He is the Head, we are the body. Are you getting with the program? Do you understand you have been "commissioned" for this cause? Do you realize the privilege this is? Do you feel inadequate? God chooses the "foolish" things of the world (you and me) to "confound the wise". Deep Breath ----- Don't wake up in eternity and hear - "you slothful servant". Remember, God chose you - Eph. 1:4, and God wants to glorify Himself through you. Let's endeavor to be on board. Did you think Resurrection was cheap? Happy Easter.
|
|