LIFE IN THE SON (Part II)

LIFE IN THE SON (Part II)

It is mission critical that we make a complete commitment to the recognition and reception of JESUS CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE and THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.  Why?  Whoever gets THE SON…GETS EVERYTHING!  

I John 5:11-12 offers clear affirmation.  “And this is the record…that GOD hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS SON.  He that hath THE SON hath LIFE; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

And Ephesians 4:13-15 is the end-goal of every believer: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love may GROW UP INTO HIM in all things, which is the head, even CHRIST.”

Let’s take an honest look in the mirror for a moment, shall we?  Do you know why so many do not live well-balanced, productive and joyous lives?  Because most of us seek to discover happiness by plugging into sources of happiness that are NOT real.  Most of the sources of happiness we seek are mere illusions, dim and distant shadows of what THE CREATOR originally determined and designed for us.

KEY QUESTION: Haven’t we learned yet that the possessions, the pride, or even the people we are tempted to center our lives around are transient images, mirages and substitutions for true happiness?  Yes, all of us are indeed THIRSTY for something (and we ought to be) while traversing this sometimes barren desert called life.  At various times, we THINK we have spotted some thirst-quenching oasis that is overflowing with life-giving water, but when we change course and travel there, we discover only one more dusty, dead and dry place.  Does this ring familiar and resonant within your own life experiences?

                                                                                                              

Sisters and brothers, do you want to know what JESUS says about all of this?  The Master teaches that we can indeed achieve true and lasting fulfillment…genuine happiness…enduring peace…limitless joy…but it is not of this world.  Yes, we may find it IN this world…but it is not OF this world!  That’s why the Bible says “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” because what we are searching for is not really IN this world…it is IN JESUS!  (I John 2:15) 

Perhaps you have seen the old television commercial that promotes Prego spaghetti sauce.  The commercial simply says this about Prego: “IT’S IN THERE!”  In their view, everything you need to create a delicious spaghetti sauce awaits within the Prego jar.  And that’s what I say about JESUS.  Whatever you are seeking, whatever solutions you may need, just remember this: IT’S ALL IN THERE!  YOUR FUTURE is already present and absolutely possible via a sure covenant connection and an intimate sibling relationship with THE SON, JESUS CHRIST!  

How so?  The Bible teaches that JESUS CHRIST is our ELDER BROTHER.  That is, JESUS CHRIST is the ELDER BROTHER of EVERY BELIEVER. 

Romans 8:16-17 offers affirmation: “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST.”

All right, let’s think this through.  We believers are HEIRS of GOD, THE FATHER, and JOINT-HEIRS with GOD, THE SON.  As you know, a FATHER is the BENEFACTOR of an estate and a SON (no intent to be gender specific here) is typically the BENEFICIARY or HEIR of an estate.  So, since believers are JOINT-HEIRS with THE SON, we receive through THE SON all that THE FATHER WILLS TO AND FOR US.  And, since JESUS CHRIST, THE SON, came BEFORE US, does it not follow logically that JESUS CHRIST is our ELDER BROTHER?   

Consider first a natural truth, then a spiritual one.  Every parent knows how important it is to get THEIR FIRST CHILD started along a righteous, respectable and orderly path.  If THE FIRST CHILD is respectful and right, the children born afterwards have a MODEL to emulate and duplicate.  According to Romans 8:29, JESUS CHRIST is “the FIRSTBORN…among many brethren.”  Our ultimate goal, according to Ephesians 4:15, is that we believers will become just like OUR ELDER BROTHER.  That is, we seek diligently to “GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS…which is the head, even CHRIST.”  

Sometimes during my private prayers, I gaze over at JESUS (with the spiritual eye of faith) and I whisper to Him: “WHEN I GROW UP…I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU!”  

Because, as the scriptures mandate, I am striving diligently every day…TO GROW UP INTO HIM…i.e., TO BE JUST LIKE HIM when I grow up!   Every person on the planet should have a similar spiritual aspiration.

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!