Continuing Pastor Herk's message, he ask: What does the name Jesus mean to you? Is He your Redeemer, Savior, The Bread of Life, The Light of the World, Lord and Master, Creator, Son of the living God, Holy One, Wonderful, Prince of Peace, King of kings, The Alpha and Omega, Head of the Body of Believers – the church, our High Priest, Immanuel, God with us, Friend, Brother, our Advocate, Mediator, Judge, Chief Cornerstone, Author and Perfecter of our faith, The Lamb of God, The Good Shepherd, The Word, The Rock, The Branch, The True Vine, The Fountain of Living Water, The Dayspring, The Bridegroom, The Lion of Judah, The Bright and Morning Star, The Light of the world, The Way, The Truth, The Life, The Promised Messiah, and the Christ. Jesus has given every true Believer the gift of eternal life, when you repented of your sin and accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We earned death by our sin, but we cannot earn eternal life. It’s amazing grace through faith with everything that salvation offers (redemption from Hell, reconciliation with God, adoption into the family of God as His true child, citizenship in Heaven, the indwelling Holy Spirit now, regeneration of the spirit, supernatural spiritual discernment, Spiritual gifts, and eternal glory with our Lord in Heaven.
The devil may wage war against the people of God, but in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, the Apostle Paul states “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then all of your thoughts, words and actions must seek to bring honor and glory to Him. You should reflect Jesus Christ in everything that you say, dream, think and do. True Christians are the children of the living God and His purpose for us is to pursue holiness in our lives and it is not easy in a God-rejecting, “fallen in sin” world; it takes disciple, diligence and perseverance. We are going to meet opposition in ministering God’s work in seeking and saving the lost by the Gospel truth because Jesus said in John 3:19-20, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” Light – the luminousness (exposed to the view of all openly, publicly) of God’s truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity congruous with it, especially the saving truth embodied in Christ and by His love and effort imparted to mankind.
When we serve God with godly, obedient and honorable behavior, He is pleased with us. There are times when we struggle to live in the way that God has commanded us to live, because we try to do it in our own strength. “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.” Strengthened with God’s power to endure, to have patience, to persevere, to grow, to mature and be strong. Part of spiritual maturity is to have the ability to pray and then wait. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The road to Perdition (Wrath of God, eternal damnation, burning in Hell, complete separation and darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth in anguish forever) is broad, and Sin gets you through the wide gate to enter onto the Highway to Hell, which the Lord says that many go in by it. Disciples of Jesus Christ are called to persevere in the “straight and narrow” strait to glory which, though difficult now, leads to life and life eternal – enter by the narrow gate of Jesus Christ – the One and only Way to Heaven.
The life of the fallen in sin “natural man”, lost, in bondage and driven by the flesh desires may seem simpler (what I want, when I want, wherever I want, with whoever I want), but leads to death. We have to trust God timing and trust God’s will and purpose for us – In God We Trust. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Father knows best.
“May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.” God has given us a spiritual inheritance that will never perish. 1 Peter 1:3-5 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.” Those who are in Christ are participants in God’s inheritance. Romans 8:17 says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Have the eternal perspective and persevere by looking to your future. When you go down here, you to up to the heavenlies, purchased by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
When we focus on corrupt politics, hateful social turmoil, godless cultural ideologies, depraved philosophies, abominable immorality, sinful indoctrination, and blasphemous wickedness against God and country, we can become passionate and stumble in indignation. When the people of God look up ahead, there is control in the chaos of this temporal journey. They can live in peace knowing that their Heavenly Father is in complete control, while comprehending and appreciating their eternal home by His glorious light.
“For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” The Believer is rescued, ransomed, redeemed, restored and forgiven; bought from darkness into light, saved and secure in Christ. 1 John 1:5 “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Heaven’s holy light overpowers the darkness of this world. In that light, God has a destiny for every one of us that bring honor and glory to Him – a life for Christ, then a life lived for eternity with Christ. Walk by faith, persevere, and know that God will do the things that He promised that He would. Are you living a life worthy of God’s sacrifice to you? Our lives need to reflect the sacrifice by Christ on our behalf. Persevere in your relationship with Jesus Christ, experiencing a mature life of faith.
Go in peace, serve the Lord. Thank be to God.
In Christ, Brian
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