12/05/2021
There is nothing in the world that we should boast of because in Christ we are no longer its citizens; we are aliens in a strange and foreign country. We are like the thief who, crucified alongside Jesus, was made new by his faith, and dined thereafter in paradise. We are new creatures in Jesus, having been crucified to the world, even as it has been crucified to us. Today we are weary travelers in a distant land who long for the familiar sight of home, and the true joy, and comfort, that awaits us there.
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Galatians 6:14 ESV
When I was a younger man I knew who Jesus was, and spoke of my faith in Him, but though I professed that I believed, I remained a citizen of the world, and valued all that it had to offer me. I boasted in my earthly accomplishments, and often put them before the Lord. I was attempting to stand astride both Heaven and earth. In this way I considered myself a man of dual citizenship. However, In fact, I was confused, and was neither hot nor cold. I was a man who maintained his earthly citizenship but had convinced himself he was a citizen of Heaven, and the kingdom of God, as well. The world played along with this ruse, and reinforced it, but God knew the truth, and continued to call out to me… beckoning me to see reality, and truly believe before I was completely lost.
““‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3:15-16 ESV
So I continued to seek my earthly treasure. I spent an hour or less of my day in prayer, or entertaining fleeting thoughts of faith, while dedicating the rest of my waking hours to seeking carnal wealth, and pleasing myself. My nights were spent dreaming of worldly things, and occasionally waking myself from a spiritual warning. I was too convinced that my life was fine spiritually to understand what I had received… an ominous omen… a warning… God’s call to return.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21 ESV
If not careful we will find ourselves listening to the half-truths of Satan, and being deceived, in this way we will remain comfortable in the world as we do his bidding. We think that we can flit safely around the edge of the flame, and remain in our faith, abiding by the letter of the law, while enjoying the world, when in reality we are already on the path to our emanate ruin. We are meant to be God’s children alone, and maintain a single citizenship in Heaven.
“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
1 Peter 2:10-11 ESV
The greatest lie we can believe is that we are in control of our own lives, determining what is good and bad, hot and cold, and thus able to negotiate the terms of our salvation. This is what transpired long ago in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil… it is true that they became knowledgeable of what is good, but what they actually received was wholly sin… what they thought would make them like God turned out to be the taste, and nourishment, of evil.
“Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.”
Genesis 3:7 ESV
Today we face a similar choice. We have been offered redemption and salvation in God’s love through His Son Jesus Christ, but unless we resist our own garden fruit, the world, and love God completely, we will be like Adam and Eve… and will receive only sin, and ultimately death. By treasuring the world, and boasting in it, we might realize some fleeting pleasure, but we will ultimately spend eternity doomed to nakedness, and being hopeless to overcome it. So we are told to believe…
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
Then we read that we should act on our belief by picking up our cross, following Jesus, and obeying the commandments of our faith; we are told to take action…
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:17 ESV
Let’s look at our lives today. Are we standing at the border between an earthly life, and a spiritual one? If so, which way will our next step take us?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. Thank you Lord for opening our eyes to the choice that we face as we walk either in faith, or the world, but not both. Help us Holy Father to separate ourselves unto you, and to be righteous; made holy as you are Holy, and confirmed to the image of Jesus as you desire us to be. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who walks with us from an earthly life to Heaven. Praised be your name for each of Satan’s lies we resist, and for the truth we find in you. Merciful are you to call out to us when we wander, and celebrate our return with an outpouring of your grace. Wash us, clothe us, and prepare us through Jesus, as we are made ready to stand before you… glowing as He glows, and made to be pleasing to you in His image. Welcome us Father, and seat us at your table forevermore!
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”
Galatians 6:14-16 ESV
Rich Forbes