"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." – Genesis 12:3
Note: This text speaks of Abraham and his children. It includes all those who accept God’s plan of salvation– whether they looked forward to the first coming of our Saviour or looked backward to His death on the cross. In fact, every person on this earth, from the time of Adam, has had the privilege of looking forward to a glorious future in the eternal kingdom, if they accept God as their Lord and Master.
"This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:" – Acts 7:38
Note: Jesus, our Creator and Redeemer, was with the children of Israel and He is with us. The church is made up of all those who worship Him with love for Him in their hearts.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 fulness 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: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." – Ephesians 4:11-16
Note: The body of Christ, His church, is made up of many members. Each has their appointed work. All of us have something to do for the Master to win souls for God’s kingdom. When you accept Jesus as your Saviour and have the joy and peace only He can give you, the natural response will be to tell others the wonderful good news of salvation.
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:" – Ephesians 3:8-11
Note: God will send all the help we need to carry on His work here on earth. His church has a purpose for existing. That is to spread the “good news.” God will send “showers of blessing” upon all of His true children.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen." – Matthew 28:19, 20
Note: God promises to be with us clear to the end of the world. Are we ready for His divine commission to teach and prepare people for His kingdom? Are you preparing yourself for His coming? Let’s be part of this glorious plan of God by joining with God’s people in fulfilling their commission.
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." – Ephesians 2:19-22
Note: What a glorious privilege–to be of the household of God! When the Spirit of God controls our life, we are one with Him and one with all of God’s church. We recognize our real citizenship is in heaven and not in this present world. Like we are told in another place–- we are in the world, but not of the world.
"And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." – Ephesians 1:22, 23
Note: Here again, the church is called the body of Christ. Christ is the head of all things, and His church is (in a spiritual sense) His body. God’s promises are for all of us.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." – Ephesians 5: 22-27
Note: If husbands would live up to the example of their Saviour and love their wives as Christ loved the church there would be more harmony in the home of a Christian family. We all are subject to Christ, and as individuals we have the privilege of receiving “divine power” to be overcomers in the battle against sin. We will study more on the marriage relationship later. Here, the emphasis is on the church and our relationship to Christ. God has great plans for His children. It is up to us to let Him work in us to fulfill those plans.
CONCLUSION:
Do you desire to become part of the body of Christ– part of His church on earth? Thus, you and I will be prepared to be part of His church in heaven. As we become one with Christ, we will become one with those who love Him as we do.
No comments:
Post a Comment