12/09/2018
Are we waiting on the return of Jesus Christ? I’m not talking about saying “come quickly Lord Jesus” in one breath, and then at the next moment saying “but not right now.” I am speaking of the longing of your spirit for the imminent return of the Lord... as if you were a child awaiting gifts on Christmas morning.
“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Romans 8:22-23 ESV
When we examine our lives, and all the blessings we have been given in them, it is tempting for us to want to continue in this way. We are reluctant to give up the things we know for those that we hope for... even when those things of Hope are truly wonderful. So if this is true, then are we being obedient to Christ, and are we loving and praying through Him as we should?
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27 ESV
A favorite theme used in books and movies is of someone who gives up all that they have ever dreamed of in order to remain with a loved one. We see this in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and even in light modern movies such as “Independence Day” where one man flies his jet into the heart of an alien spacecraft to save the world. As human beings we see this as a trait which is honorable, and even nonbelievers can admire this attribute in the character of Jesus, but as Christians we are not asked to abandon our loved ones, but to either lead the way, or rejoin them in the promised eternity of heaven with God.
Yet despite the hope and promise of heaven, and disregarding our professed belief in Jesus Christ and God the Father, many of us would chose an unfulfilled and imperfect life on earth over divine eternity; even knowing the love of God that awaits us, the pain and suffering of life, and what growing old brings. Jesus gave up His life for us, but we would choose to hold onto ours in order to remain with our loved ones... or in possession of our treasure. The question becomes this... do we trust in Jesus and the promises of God with all our hearts... enough to let go of all we know on this earth in order to step into eternity with Them?
I read an interesting article that spoke of things in our lives that we should never give up. Granted, this article was referring to human relationships, but understanding these things helped me see some truths about how we approach our life of faith. The number one thing that the author said we should never give up is something she called our “Imperfect Magnificence.” I found this amazing because although she was talking about our imperfections and how they are a part of us, and how hard it was to find someone who loved us in spite of them, she was not speaking of faith... yet even so went on to reference the soul. Listen...
“Remember, to the people who truly love you, you are magnificent already. This is not because they’re blind to your shortcomings, but because they so vividly see the beauty of your soul.” - Marc Chernoff
Does this sound somewhat familiar to you as a Christian, and as a person of faith? It should because God loves us even though we are imperfect. However, In her article she has taken the opposite stance... she is saying never give up these imperfections for someone, while as Christians we know that even though we are loved in spite of our “Imperfect Magnificence”, that we should strive to perfect ourselves. God loves us, even in our imperfect state, but His desire is that we become perfect... even as He is.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 KJV
So this article revealed why as humans we might often choose to remain rather than to really mean it when we say “Come quickly Lord Jesus”. It is about holding onto our own imperfections and glorifying them. It is being satisfied with these imperfect sins over accepting the redemption of Jesus. It is about the fear of loosing everything we see and touch, even if we realize they are faults. It is about trusting in God’s Word. It is about remaining in the abusive relationship of the world because it is real to us, and our hope and faith are not. It is labeling our imperfections as being magnificent to justify living with them.
Are we really ready for the return of Jesus Christ, or is our hold on what we see, touch, and our “Imperfect Magnificence”, too much for us to overcome? Is our faith weak, or strong enough to lift us into the presence of God? Let’s search our souls today for these answers.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for my faith that is sufficient, and for your Son Jesus Christ, and your Holy Spirit who redeem me, and lead me to you. Help me Heavenly Father to trust in your Word, and to seek your perfection as Jesus has instructed, and as the Holy Spirit helps us to understand. Thank you for my ability to pray in the spirit so that my prayers will not stray from your will, and my trust in you will be strong enough that I can overcome my self, and abide in you. Never let me be satisfied to remain a captive of my “Imperfect Magnificence”, and the lie that I am made to live this way. Let my faith in you, and the knowledge that your love surrounds and fulfills all those loves I have in my life. Give me the anticipation and excitement for the return of Jesus that propels me by my love for you, and does not hold me back by in my earthly loves. Help me to trust that your promise holds for my family, my children, and my children’s children, and that by our faith we will abide in you forevermore. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who sent His Son to redeem the world, and will send Him again to gather it to you. Praised be your name always, and in my shout “Come Quickly Lord Jesus!” let their be truth in my words, and longing for you presence!
“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”
Psalms 17:15 KJV
Rich Forbes