Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Knowing who we are...

“I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16 

What a sweet title: “my people”! What a cheering revelation: “their God”! How much meaning is couched in those two words, “my people.” Here is distinction. The whole world is God’s; the heavens, even the heaven of heavens, is the Lord’s; and He reigns among the children of men. But of those He has chosen, the ones He has purchased for himself, He says what He does not say of others: “my people.” In this phrase there is the idea of legal ownership. In a special manner, “the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). All the nations on earth are His; the whole world is in His power. But His people, His chosen ones, are more especially His possession, for He has done more for them than for others—He has bought them with His blood, brought them near to himself, set His great heart on them, and loved them with an everlasting love, a love that many waters cannot quench and which the passage of time will never diminish in the least. Dear friends, can you by faith see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, “My Lord and my God”? Can you say He is yours by that sweet relationship that entitles you to call Him “Father”? Or by the sacred fellowship you enjoy with Him when He is pleased to show himself to you in ways He does not show himself to the world? Can you read Scripture and find in them the contract of your salvation? Can you read your title, written in precious blood? Can you by humble faith take hold of Jesus’s garments and say, “My Christ”? If you can, then God says of you, and of others like you, “my people.” If God is your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, particular preference for you—you are the object of His choice, accepted in His beloved Son. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

Identity is very important.  So much so that even Satan has been trying for decades to twist and pervert it in this world.  Scripture details who we are and are not.  We are in Christ or are not. 

We are not defined by anything else before God other than those who have their names written in the book of Life and those who have not. 

Which is more important than gender, than status, or class.  Yet in Satan's view those are what he uses to define people.  To manipulate them to his ends. 

Recently in this pandemic the Christian care arm of the Samaritan's Purse was in New York city to work their own emergency field hospital. Treatment was free and no discrimination was displayed towards any.  Yet solely on their beliefs the city kicked them out.  Many hundreds were treated.  Yet the vilification of Christians is what made the headlines.  

We are indeed at the beginnings of the last part of the prophetical statue in the book of Daniel.  The feet made of iron mixed with clay.   It's beginning to be a reality.  Getting what needs done with a harsh reality behind it by rule of law. Forced changes.  

But what isn't forced is coming to Christ. 

Nobody in New York city at the Samaritan's Purse field hospital was forced to choose Christ.  They were simply offered treatment.  Yet they were attacked because of Christ. Because of who they represented. 

The truth is Christians will be increasingly attacked because of their beliefs.  We who are in Christ are now beginning to see the reality of Scripture.  A man's enemies will be members of his own house.  Family will turn on family because of who they are in Christ.  It's been in the news for years.  

This is nothing new to the Church.  In its beginning it was heavily persecuted.  

But do not let that or what is happening today dissuade you.  Do not let what your eyes see frighten you.  Salvation alone is found only in Christ.  Fear is being ramped up.  Fear of the virus. Fear of survival. Fear, fear, fear.  Yet in Christ we are promised His peace, not fear. A peace that passes all understanding.  Jesus is the answer to fear. Not the cause of it.

There's going to be more raging attacks on Christians. It is because we hold to what we know God says about Himself in the Bible.  We hold to His truth. 

The world cannot understand the things of God because they are Spiritual discerned.  The Bible tells us that plainly.  

The world cannot, right now, shake its fist at God, but it can at those who belong to Him. 

Not a very rosy perspective is it?  Being a Christian in this day and age?  Well consider the rest of the truth of the Bible. Jesus said it is finished.  He arose from the dead, putting an end to sin, death and the grave.  He won. All we are living through right now is the playing out of what must be until all Scripture is fulfilled. 

Jesus already has the victory. 

Those in Christ, regardless of how they leave this world are STILL safe in His hands.  Those persecuted to the point of death are immediately standing before Jesus in their next heartbeat.  Those berated by the world are known before Jesus and are strengthened. There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Battle lines are being defined.  You will either be on the side of Christ or against Him. 

Jesus isn't just a promise maker but rather He's a promise keeper. 

His love is greater than all you face today. 
His power is greater than all you will see today. 

His forgiveness is more than you think you will ever deserve, but it's there for the asking. 

Soon Jesus is returning.  Soon there will be millions of people who will vanish.  Taken with Him to be with Him forever. Those written in the book of Life.  

The Bible says we struggle not against flesh and blood, meaning not what we SEE. But the struggles are in the Spiritual world. 

I am in Christ.  Are you?  Know today that Jesus is there, ready to save you.  Know that He is your Savior.  Know the peace of God in these times when the world is doing everything in its power to remove it.

Today...know...

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