I was fascinated by this passage which is an extract from a book I was reading – JB Phillips’ “Ring of Truth” and it stopped me. Made me read it again and again. The wonder and amazement grew with each read. The resurrection was the breakthrough, and with the coming of the Holy Spirt, together, completely changed the disciples and other followers, empowered them with boldness, confidence and certainty. It was not a covert operation! Is it not enough for us ?
The plan is to serve the purpose (the final desired outcome). Not many are aware or understand this and that includes many Christians. Our life would be quite different if we understood what we are actually destined for.
Step 1 : RECONCILIATION OF HIS LOST
By birth we are lost, rebellious and far from God’s nature. We are lost in our world, living our lives according to our will which has resulted in the separation from a Holy God who created us for Him. We therefore do not have a relationship with God and stand in His judgement. Reconciliation is restoring the relationship after being apart (eg; due to a fight or disagreement). This is possible only because Jesus paid our price, ransom, or penalty through His death on the cross by the shedding of His blood. This is done now. If we believe and put our trust in Jesus who was the only one who paid that price for us, then we have been reconciled to God. This is the start of the journey.
Step 2 : RESTORATION OF HIS IMAGE
We were created in His image. This image is the nature of God. We lost it in the garden. We have a different nature now that is rebellious, sinful, and selfish. God is restoring that image in His children who have been reconciled, to the likeness of His Son Jesus through our obedience and surrender to Him.
Step 3: RE-ESTABLISHING HIS KINGDOM
His kingdom is both a spiritual and a physical kingdom. He is purchasing the lost through the finished work of Jesus, then conforms us to the image of His Son in preparation of being part of His kingdom.
We will explore all this in the coming episodes….
Discovered this….. so timely for a world and time we live in. Written by Jeff Bethke ….
Words are here.
Another one born in the quiet moments……..
You drew me for you knew me
Nothing of my own accord
You willed and you planned
My redemption in advance
By You and through You are all things
So all glory remains unmanned
You willed and You planned
My life and my walk
Why then should I fear
Your Spirit and Word always near
You willed and You planned
My purpose and my portion
To grasp the whole truth, one needs a 33 K view.1 I chose 33,000 feet for it’s a term used to express the big picture. From a spiritual point, it is the kind of view, God has of the world and how He is working everything according to His plans and purposes. The sort of “grand scheme of things”. If I were to ask the question, what is it all about, or what is God’s grand plan ? What is He actually doing ? What would be your understanding or response ? Of course, the follow on question is how does it matter to me or do I really care? I pose this not only to the ones who don’t know the truth but also to one’s who know Him. It is paramount to both and has eternal but different outcomes. This may take more than one post, so bear with me and come on this journey to explore the grand plan. I did debate in my own mind whether to start this discourse straight from the top or to start small and build it up. I have chosen the former, as we often can get lost with the little things and miss out on the big picture. So will start with the big picture or the 33K view. Curious? In the next few episodes we will explore and examine this truth including the “small print”. Interestingly the 33K view is from Psalm 33!
Today’s passage is from the book of Hebrews, Chapter 12 verses 1 to 14. Always read the passage, then listen, then read again. This has really helped me, so passing on a tip.
KEY VERSE : Verse 14. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord”
Lead a life of holiness for without it no one will see Him !
-an archaic word meaning to or towards this place. Coming across Ecclesiastes made me think and am sharing something born in the quiet moments…
I sweat and toil
For things that foil;
For things unseen
Are but unkeen
The grass doth wither
My desires hither and thither
for things seen
Are all that are keen
Life is a moment
Greatness rise and fall
they are all seen
Nothing to glean
I run to the unseen
My saviour and Lord
He who receives and applauds
Gives Himself, my great reward and all
Jesus gave up His position (His sacrifice), which He could have clung on to but He didn’t. He emptied Himself of His power, and stepped down to being a human, a big step for our creator, stepped down even further to be a servant, but it didn’t stop there. He took another step and died for me, but not just an ordinary death, a step further; a suffering death. We are now called to imitate this. This attitude we see in Jesus. What an amazing, awesome, bewildering humility ! With sacrifice, submission, and service comes suffering but consider it a joy as in James 1: 2.
Someone elsewhere said, “humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of self, less”. I think this changes our perspective quite significantly and sheds clarity. I think I like it and will go with this. It falls in line with thinking of others more than being occupied with just my own needs. My needs are important but others are more important, is also included later in that verse. Surrender is the key to this sort of humility!
Integral to God’s children (His people).
2 Chronicles 7:14-15. My people who are called by My name if they humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.
Humility opens the door to answered prayer – it is conditional and not entitled. The other requisites are praying (talking with God), seeking Him (obedience), and turning away from sin (repentance).