12/11/2019
Do we believe that Jesus will return to claim us, His Church, as His bride? Do we believe that it is possible for us to be sanctified, and prepared for His arrival? Well fellow believers, He will most certainly come, and in that moment of glorious coming we will have been readied by God, through our faith, and made righteous by His hand, for Christ. We will be prepared by God’s Holy Spirit to meet Him, and dressed as one who is pure for that moment. Yes, and the constant struggle against sin will have finally come to an end.
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV
Long ago in my teens I had an experience in which I was drowning, and in it I was at once thrilled beyond description and afraid of what might happen to my family if I left them. During that incredible occurrence there came the most wonderful and exhilarating sense of calm and rest I have ever felt. In its midst the Lord spoke to me, and told me not to worry about my family. He told me that they were not mine, but His, and that He would do for them just as He had always done for me. In that moment I realized that He reaches out to each of us in His way, and leads us to Him through our transformation in Jesus. At that instant I gave into Him completely, I knew what it meant to abide in Him, and for Him to abide in me. I felt the absolute peace which I have come to understand was the freedom from sin. Friends, He is faithful, and will lead you to that same moment when you too will step into Him, and feel His splendor.
Our opening scripture was from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, but Peter tells us this too. Let’s read what he writes...
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:10-11 ESV
We seek out our salvation, but all the while God’s hand is upon us. There may be times when we think that we are obtaining our own sanctification by our efforts against temptation, or by what we do in service to God, or obedience to His Word, but none of this would be possible without His ever present Spirit. We read the following scripture in Philippians, and think that we are in charge of winning our salvation...
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Philippians 2:12 ESV
But, if we read beyond this much quoted verse we find that although we have a part in working out our salvation through love, and obedience, God is always there to insure the work, which is His good pleasure, is done...
“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 ESV
So beneath the water of the lake that day when God opened my eyes to His work in not only my life, but in the lives of all those I loved, He was telling me what Peter, and Paul had long ago penned. God calls us, God works in us, and if we obey, and love Him... God will abide in us, and we in Him, being given the absence of sin through Jesus Christ. In this we will experience His eternal bliss, peace, and rest eternally.
Jesus speaks directly of the Holy Spirit, and John records His words as he writes these two verses for us, and they reiterate the presence of God’s hand in our salvation...
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:26-27 ESV
Our salvation is not possible without God’s presence in our lives, and He is faithful in always being there for those He has called.
On that day when I was sinking down, and the water was claiming my body, I was told to stand up. I thought it odd because I was so far from shore, but I put my feet down, and was immediately surprised to feel the lake bottom; as I stood up my head broke the surface... I was at the lake’s edge. So I stumbled onto the shore and fell on my face there... wondering why I had been returned, and longing to be back in the presence of the Lord. Ever since, I have wondered why, but one thing is certain, I know God has called me, He is with me, Jesus will come to claim me again, and the Holy Spirit will help me... just as he will help you, because, all these things are true for you as well.
Do you believe you are being sanctified, and prepared for Jesus’s return, and an eternity with God? Are you ready for the water to close over you, and to abide in God, and have Him abide in you? Well, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
Prayer:
Father, thank you for calling us, and always being with us. Thank you for your love, goodness, mercy, and grace, which brought Jesus Christ into the world to redeem us, and your Holy Spirit to help us. Thank you Heavenly Father for your desire that we be sanctified, and brought to abide in you, even as you abide in us. You are faithful to do this, and our faith and trust remain firmly fixed on you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls us while we are yet sinners, and has loved us so much that you sent your Son to redeem us from our sin. Great are you who’s Holy Spirit helps us, and makes our way certain as we seek you, and wait patiently for the glorious return of Jesus. Praised be your name Father for your mercy and unending love and grace. Hear now the sound of our worship as we pray, and sing, giving you all glory for the perfect grace you have pour out on us through Jesus. We seek you in fear and trembling, but our confidence lies forever in your desire to call us, and transform us through Christ into your children.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalms 139:14 ESV
Rich Forbes