It is mission critical that we recognize and receive JESUS CHRIST,
Who is THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE. Because whoever gets THE SON…GETS
EVERYTHING!
I John 5:11-12 offers clear affirmation: “And this is
the record…that GOD has given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS
SON. He that has THE SON hath LIFE; and he that has not the Son of God has
not life.”
And Ephesians 4:13-15 should be 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, shall we? Do you know why
the majority of people do not live well-balanced, productive and joyous
lives? Because most seek to discover happiness by plugging into sources that
are NOT real. Most of the sources of happiness we seek are mere
illusions, dim and distant shadows of what THE CREATOR originally intended 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,
mere mirages and meager substitutions for true fulfillment? Yes indeed,
all of us are THIRSTY for something (and we ought to be) while traversing this
sometimes barren desert called life. And at times, we THINK we have
spotted a thirst-quenching oasis that is overflowing with life-giving water,
but when we actually change course and travel there, we discover one more
dusty, dead and dry place. Does this ring familiar or resonate with any
of your own life experience?
Sisters and brothers, do you want to know what JESUS has to say about
this? The Master teaches that we CAN achieve true and lasting fulfillment…genuine
happiness…lasting peace…limitless joy…but it is not of this world. Yes,
we may find it IN this world…but it is certainly 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!” According to them, everything you
need to create a delicious spaghetti sauce is inside the Prego jar. Maybe…maybe
not. But that assertion is entirely true
when one considers JESUS. Whatever you seek, whatever answers you need,
just remember: IT’S IN THERE! YOUR FUTURE is already present and
absolutely possible via your sure covenant connection and intimate sibling
relationship with THE SON, JESUS CHRIST!
How so? The Bible clearly teaches that JESUS CHRIST is our ELDER BROTHER. That is, JESUS CHRIST is the ELDER BROTHER of EVERY
BELIEVER. According to Romans
8:16-17, “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 we are
JOINT-HEIRS with GOD, THE SON.
As you know, a FATHER is
the BENEFACTOR of an
estate and a SON (not a
gender specific reference) is typically the BENEFICIARY or the HEIR of an estate. Therefore, since we believers
are JOINT-HEIRS with THE SON, we receive through THE SON all that THE FATHER WILLS TO US 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 this. Every parent knows how important it is to get THE FIRST CHILD walking along a
righteous, respectable and responsible path. If THE FIRST CHILD is respectful and
right…the children born afterwards have a MODEL to emulate and duplicate. First natural
truth, then spiritual. 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 to “GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS…which is
the head, even CHRIST.”
So during my prayer time, I often gazed over at JESUS (with a spiritual
eye) and whispered 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 this
planet should have that same 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!
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