“…who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross.” Hebrews 12:2
Dear Ones:
Why is it that the Christian, from the moment that he or she is born of the Spirit, is “drawn towards heaven, and home?” And how is it that the Christian’s experience is portrayed to us first as a love relationship? The answer to both questions is because God IS love, and every expression of His purpose and will for us, is out of love. Where God has loved first, the believer is called upon to respond in love and devotion, according to the grace given from God. This love is expressed by a communion, a fellowship, which is portrayed in part, as being a race, a fight, and a farmer’s or servant’s labor. Why is it that the call of God is one where every aspect of our being is called upon to trust Him? And why is there opposition, difficulty, and labor, involved in loving Him? From the first moment the believer put his faith in Christ to save him, there arose naturally, out of the context of an unbelieving world, opposition to faith, whether passively or actively, expressed.
When Joseph and Mary brought the Lord Jesus as a baby into the temple, there was a godly man named Simeon, who had been told by the Lord that he would not die, until he had seen “the Lord’s Christ.” In speaking to Mary, Simeon said: “…this child is SET for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against,” or opposed. (Luke 2:34) The Christian, by virtue of the indwelling Christ in his heart, and the testimony of the truth of God in his life, before unbelieving and sinful men, needs to understand and grasp what Jesus said: “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” (Jn. 15:20) Jesus would know opposition because He was of a different Nature than all around Him, holy in every aspect of His being. Those who would live godly in Christ Jesus, would also know opposition, even persecution, in some shape or fashion. This is a sad reality, and one which can only be met by the power of Christ’s love and wisdom. This opposition to Christ, and to the believer, is also an indication, and confirmation, that the believer’s home, like that of Christ, is NOT of, or in, this world. The moment a person comes to Christ, his true home becomes heaven because it is where Christ IS. This is why the Lord Jesus would pray: “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be WITH Me, where I am.” (Jn.17:24)
In waiting to be called “home,” we are called upon to see, and embrace life is a race, a warfare or fight, and like a farmer’s work, or a servant’s faithful devotion. When we look at each of these illustrations, we find common attributes, the same which we see in the Lord Jesus. We see first, an engagement with a purpose. Christ was committed to do the will of His Father. His mission and work was crystal clear, ever kept before Him. Secondly, we discover that this commitment was of the entire being, soul, mind, and strength. Paul puts is so plainly when he writes: “I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23) Lastly, though communion with Christ is “sweet,” as the believer experiences the love, joy, and peace of Christ by the Spirit, it is also a communion of Christ’s sufferings, the experience of His victory in difficulty and trial, though in a much smaller measure. Peter tells us that we should not be surprised at difficulties or trials,(1 Peter 4:12) going even so far as to tell us to arm ourselves with this knowledge and attitude.
Dear Father, we thank Thee that You have called us to a communion with Christ that is true, real, wonderful, though difficult at times. Give us grace to be faithful in the race, fight, and work. Please never allow us to, “outlive our love for Thee.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad