Scripture: Colossians 2 v 1 - 6: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
How amazing to know that we were in Christ at the Last Supper, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He was on trial, whipped, mocked and crowned with thorns. We were in Him when Pilate said he finds no fault with Him, when He struggled up the road to Golgotha.
We were in Him as He was crucified, pierced and dying. We were in Him when He died and rose again. We are risen from death with Him, risen to new life that can never be extinguished. We are already immortal, living our eternal life starting from the moment we are born again.
Our eyes should be on Heaven and things above us. We should be reaching for higher knowledge and deeper experiences of God in our lives. We are saved for a purpose and we need to discover it and complete it. Everything else is vanity. Everything else.
We need to be careful not to let our vanities get a grip upon us that blocks God's will for us. It's only when we seek Him for more of His love, wisdom, holiness, that He takes us further into His purpose for us.
There is one general purpose for every believer....save as many as you can. By preaching, teaching, loving, testifying, praying, healing and miracles the world is drawn to consider the Kingdom of our God. Through the Word of God the truth is established.
To win the world we need to make Jesus real to them without lies, exaggeration or embellishment. Be simple and truthful to confound the enemy who is blinding them to salvation.
2 Corinthians 4 v 1 - 5: "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"
The god of this world is Satan and it is he who calls truth lies and deceit truth. He is a total fake and all fake news, alternate views and fancy distractions are his box of tricks to keep the world blinded and in darkness. It is he that influences people with his lies to start false religions, cults and even many false doctrines twisted out of the Word.
For example, all the many absolutely sure predictions of when Jesus will return, or when the Rapture will occur. Jesus said, Only the Father Knows the time of these events, even He does not know. So if Jesus does not know then we are way out of line trying to tell everyone that we know.
He said we would know the season, and we do know that we are living in a period of grace as our Father is not willing that any should perish. Notwithstanding, if people do not obey His Word, if they refuse His salvation and mock His love, they are playing with a fire that is unquenchable.
We are dead and our lives are hid with Christ in God. Sin killed us stone dead but we are alive in one place only, in Christ because we are risen with Him. If this is your reality then He is calling you to continue His work. There is a specific talent He has given you to open those spiritually blind eyes.
It is not humanitarianism or charitable work that makes the difference, it is Christ in us the hope of glory. We can obscure His light by covering it up with excuses and distractions but the Lord sees our hearts and is waiting for us to make a move.
Jesus will back up our faith and efforts with exploits of His own. Every encounter is different but He manages to get His Word across and like a grain of sand in an oyster He will eventually create a pearl out of us and those we touch with His love.
We must never take the glory for the miracles He does. We must let Him shine. As we sing "Shine, Jesus shine, fill this land with the Father's glory. Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire!"
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are risen from death to spiritual life in Your Son. Let us not hide this privilege by denying Him the souls He seeks. Let us allow Jesus to shine forth through us, through our broken places, to return souls to His Kingdom. Help us find our talent and use it to the glory of God. In Jesus' name. Amen.