Over the years, I have written
out more than a couple of truths which are important for us, as followers of
Christ, to take in and make a reality within our lives. Actually, the fact that they are truths is
what makes them important. It also makes
them worth reminding of from time to time as we do tend to suffer from some
short term memory loss now and again.
Let's try something together for
a moment. Read, out loud, the following
(no, you do not have to read the scripture reference) and say your name where
prompted:
I <Your Name> am the salt
of the earth (Matt.5:13)
I <Your Name> am a child of
God (John 1:12)I <Your Name> am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I <Your Name> am a new creation (2 Cor.5:17)
I <Your Name> am righteous and holy (Eph. 4:24)
I <Your Name> am a child of light, not of darkness (1 Thess.5:5)
So how did that feel? Any of those give you an issue to read and
say out loud? Now here is the funny
thing: they are all true. Every single one of them. If you are a believer, then yes, every word
you just spoke out loud is true. To
quote an author by the name of Neil Anderson, "Being Christian is not just
a matter of getting something; it is a matter of being someone". Think about that for a moment. Who we were prior to salvation is not who we
are after salvation. We are born
again. A brand new creation.
This is important. How we view ourselves and our God is what
makes all the difference here. After
all, if you view yourself as worthless, then you will act like someone who is
worthless. But are you actually
worthless? Well, let's see now. The God of all creation, the Alpha and Omega,
stepped down from heaven, took on the form of a human being, complete with all
of our feelings - that includes physical ones.
I am not female so I do not know the pain of child birth, but I have
heard it said about how much pain can be involved. Somehow I suspect that brutal flogging,
beating and then crucifixion may hurt more than that again. But He did this so that a way could be made
for YOUR debt to be paid in full. So
that you may be made new and have life to the fullest, both here and after
death. I get a funny feeling He does not
consider you worthless. Sounds more like
priceless to me.
Our view of Christ is also a
pretty big one as well. I do not mean
view as in Him as divine or the fact that He is alive (actually alive) right
now. I mean more in the sense of where
He actually is in relation to us, even as we sit and read this page. Here is a couple of verses from scripture but
they should help to get the point across.
"'I will ask the Father, and
he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of
truth...you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not
leave you as orphans'" ~ John 14:17-18
"... I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:20
The Holy Spirit is as much God as
both Father and Son are. Matter of fact,
it is He (the Spirit) whom Jesus went back to heaven to send down to us. His Spirit is with us always. Ponder that last word for a moment, if you
will. Always. Not only when we are feeling down. Not only when we are feeling happy. Not only when we are praying. Not only when we are in church. Always. Do we really get that? Do we act like we actually believe that? That whatever we are doing, whenever we are
doing it, He is right there with us.
Whether that be something good like praying or helping out someone, or
something less than good like checking out pornography on the internet or
calling someone down.
The implications of actually,
truly believing that tidbit of truth are massive. Not just for how we behave when we are with
others or when (think) we are alone.
Think about this. We know that Jesus fed 5000 with about as
much food as would feed 5, and fed them to the point of them being actually
full. If we truly believed He was with
us right now, would we have even a hint of anxiousness about bills, or food in
the cupboard or any other physical need?
Probably not.
In the book of Mark, we read how
the boat Jesus was in was caught up in a massive storm. Massive enough that men who made their living
on those waters were fearful for their lives.
Did He panic? No. Instead, with but a word He caused the storm
to suddenly (important to note that) stop.
Now since He can stop even the storm, and He is with us right now,
should there be anything in this life or world which should cause us fear? Would you be fearful or worried if you looked
to your right and saw Him standing right beside you? Again, probably not. But He is right there, with you, right now at
this very moment. Do you understand
this? Do realize the truth in this? Do you live it?
"It is for freedom, that
Christ has set us free" ~ Gal.5:1
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