Living On The Wild Side

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

[Before I get started - I was talking to a friend that I have not talked to in several years. During the course of our conversation he mentioned that he reads my devotion on Facebook - I had no idea. Would you mind liking this post if you read it. Just this time. That would be a great encouragement to me to know that others are reading it as well. thanks. Charley]

Have you ever thought about why Jesus felt He needed to tell us that? Isn't there a glimmer of hope in you that somehow Christian values will prevail in this country and other countries in the world? That God's way will somehow become the preferred way of man? That peace will reign because everyone will decide to get along? That people will stop hating and warring. That sounds a bit like heaven doesn't it. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen until the end of time for human kind, when the "age of man" has come to its end on this planet. When Jesus returns. So we say, then Jesus come quickly, Maranatha! (Maranatha is an Aramaic word that means “the Lord is coming” or “come, O Lord.) He will return but on the Father's timetable - not ours. 

So, in the meantime, what does that mean for us. Well, good question. Christians are, have been and always will be in the minority among all people. What is right and just in societies has been and will be determined by a majority that is far from God - or a minority who wield political, economic, and social power. It is all part of the human condition. As Christians we must remember that we have been adopted out of that reality into a spiritual reality. Our natural ethnicity has not changed. Our cultural heritage has not changed. The fact that we must work by the sweat of our brow has not changed. W get sick - sometimes unto death - and endure hardships - in those respects we are just like everyone else.

So what is different. Well - our eternal destiny for one thing. We have a dual citizenship. I am, by natural birth, a citizen of the United States but also a citizen of Heaven by spiritual birth. And so, I can experience the fruit of the Spirit of God, by whom every Christian is sealed. That is a game changer with respect to how I am able to respond to life. Like having peace in tribulation - times of trouble.

".. the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." - Galatians 5:22-25

That source of that fruit is present in us and the fruit flowers and manifests itself as we submit to the Spirit.  That fruit appears in spite of the circumstances that we face while living on this planet. That is something that those who are not Christians cannot experience or even conceive of because it is Spiritual. Not only can they not experience it, they cannot understand it when they see it in us.

That is a way that our light shines in the world. Each of us has a responsibility, as ambassadors of Christ, sons and daughters of the Most High God, to let our light shine in the world and to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. (1 Peter 3:15)

"Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:15-16

So I encourage you to not be discouraged by what you see happening around you. It should come as no surprise.  The Bible makes it plain. A cursory reading of scripture will show you that. But be encouraged to know that you were once lost like those in the world around you, but now you have been found. You were blind (to spiritual reality) but now you see (with spiritual understanding). Take that truth into the new year with you and let it shape how you respond to life in 2023 and until someday you see Jesus face to face. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone