The Divine Agreement

During the Christmas season each year there is an extraordinary feeling of “good will” that comes over most Christian people. Can we explain this unusual sensation when it happens to us? There are many different speculations that have been made but a suspicion always remains that maybe we don’t have the full explanation. Is it possible that this once a year feeling is not totally of this earth? What if the birth of God’s son stirs something among humans that is actually shared with God’s heavenly creations making it a stronger than usual feeling?

When the baby Jesus came into this world the wheels of God’s greatest plan began to turn. This child was the beginning of the divine agreement that would bind God’s society together forever. In other words, the Savior of humans will also rule everything for eternity. It seems to us that this advent or arrival of the King, involves more than our universe. It must be special to all creations. A Christian is aware that the New Covenant includes the salvation of God’s children but there are things included that we are not even aware of.

The main thing that happened for the human race when Jesus was born was the beginning of eternal life for humans. After the Savior left the earth the Holy Spirit came to earth in a brand new capacity. He would live in Christians. Maybe the special feeling at Christmas is a result of the Spirit of God living in us. When we are made right with God many wonderful things are possible in our lives that the unsaved don’t enjoy. The people that enter into the Divine plan will become part of God’s glorious eternity.

The freedom that comes with this new life can give us a great confidence. This poise we have because of our Lord is a priceless gift. A Christian will suffer at the hands of the worldly people simply to reflect the glory of the Lord. Our willingness to reflect the glory of God is a gift that we receive from the Spirit living in us. The new life that we have received can change us “into His glorious image.” The Divine Agreement does come with a very special feeling even if we are reading too much into the excitement of Christmas.  

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Cor 3:17-18 (NLT)

Amen

There are people who wonder why their peace and quiet during Church is interrupted by the loud Amen of others. This may sound rather harsh, but the time for our silence at church is when they place us outside in a church plot. There does not seem to be any Scriptural reason given for born-again people to keep quiet. In fact, the faith of Christians must become vocal at some point in their lives in order to let the world know we identify with Jesus the Savior. One good Scripture to encourage us to Amen is: For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” ascends to God for his glory. (2 Cor 1:20 NLT). We need to remember that every Amen, through Christ, is a way of expressing glory for our beloved Father.

 

We are told to be vocal as a testimony of our position in Jesus Christ. Paul said: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NLT). This is a verse that we can use to encourage the people of God to speak-up for our Savior. But as with most Scriptures, it can inspire us to consider other meanings. For example, many modern day believers will say to situations in their life; may God’s will be done. Sometimes this means that they don’t want to stand up in faith and tell people everything is possible in Jesus. We should be willing to broadcast the faith of our situation by saying Amen to both the saved and the unsaved.

By our faith we know that all God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ. We are saying Amen to everything that Jesus has made possible for us. We should remember that although the earth is a sinful place, God is still in control of it. When we verbally believe that everything is possible through the Savior, we are learning to take a Christian stand for God. The world cannot possibly take a stand for God because they are living in sin. Our Amen is a testimony to the world around us that we believe everything God has said. The purpose of a Christian is to identify with Jesus and be a righteous light in this world. The will of God on earth is that His people identify with Him and help those around them.

It is by way of faith that Jesus saved us and with the same faith we find our yes to be possible only in Him. In fact, Jesus is the Amen of God: This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation. (Rev 3:14 NLT). This is a great way for us celebrate the new creature that we have become. How wonderful that the Amen of God is our salvation. He is also our sanctifier, He is our healer, He is our Priest, and He is everything to us. It is a real privilege to live a yes life through Jesus our Lord. We need to trust God completely and give the Amen testimony every chance we have. This will help us live our righteous new life to the best of our ability.

Remember Me

When we hear the church bells ringing, we usually remember something from the past. God has given us the ability of mental recall. We can remember people, good or bad circumstances, and even past possessions. Some people have argued that memory is the most important of all a persons’ abilities. The Church is responsible for reminding its people of the many truths listed in the Bible. In the past, many churches had a table that stood down front of the preacher on which was written “Remember Me.” This reminds us that Jesus is the center of our religion. The centrality of Jesus is the number one thing that Christians should remember. People can have a new eternal life because Christ took our place in death. 

Our sin is the thing that has always separated us from God. Jesus came to live and die on this sinful earth in order to give us the opportunity to get right with the Almighty. People become so involved with everyday living that many times we will forget that our eternity depends on Jesus Christ. The ringing of the church bell is a reminder that Jesus died for us. Before Jesus went to the cross, He gathered with his disciples and ordained the communion ceremony for the church. This was His last meal before death. The Scripture says: Then he broke it (the bread) in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”  (1 Cor 11:24-26 NLT). Remembering Jesus should be our priority. 

The Bible tells us to remind everyone that the death of Christ did away with the sin that keeps us away from God. The local church as well as the individual Christian finds joy in the fact that Jesus died to pay our ransom. God will not remember our sin on judgment day because Jesus took our sin upon himself. The Scripture says: “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” (Heb 10:17 NLT). How can we not want to tell unsaved people about the way to Heaven? There are other things that the Scriptures tell us to remember. We must remember to pray for other people. As the Spirit directs us we should pray for either saved or unsaved people. Serving the Lord is a privilege because of what Christ is doing for us. 

Over the years many people have suffered at the hands of the world because they proclaim the Savior. This means that their only help must come from the church. Paul instructed the churches to remember that some Christians need our help. He agreed with the disciples: …that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. (Gal 2:10 KJV). When a Christian hires help they should give jobs to other Christians so they can take care of their families. In return, a Christian should work hard at their job and do their best. The Church must remember to pray for the whole spiritual family, rich or poor. Remember that helping and praying for others is part of our service to God. 

Many of us went to Sunday school and learned the Bible stories. These wonderful old stories were our introduction to the doctrines of God. It is wonderful to recall how that the Spirit led us into the path of our salvation. Paul reminds us to pray for our teachers: I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. (1 Cor 11:2 NLT). We must live by the teachings of the Bible if we ever hope to live pleasing lives for the Lord. We know the Church has been teaching people for two thousand years because of an unbroken chain of teachers. Christian literature reflects much of the struggle for good in our history. 

Christians can also find encouragement by remembering the faith of people in the past who loved God with all their hearts. Hebrews eleven is called the Faith hall of Fame.  Simply by reading about these saints from the past we can be strengthened. Each of us has their own heroes of the faith but the point is that our memories can help us at times. At Easter we remember the resurrection. It is a living memorial because Jesus Christ is still alive. Our life is about living the victory over death that Jesus won that Sunday morning. Paul made this statement: Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. (2 Tim 2:8 NLT). We continue to preach this.

The wonder of the life and death of Jesus is continually working in a Christian. Every day we are aware that we have been raised to a new life. The help of the Lord is continual. The Bible says: But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:25-27 NLT) Remembering what Jesus said gives the Church its peace and joy. The Holy Scriptures can lead us through this life and into the next. The Gospel is never about our thinking. It is always about remembering exactly what the Spirit of God says. When we believe and then live what is in the Bible, a new life will be ours.

Give Me Victory

God’s Word says plainly that only the over comers in Jesus will enter Heaven. Our victory is completely contained in Christ. Unfortunately, only portions of the people in a local congregation are ready to go. Jesus said: But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. (Matt 25:10 NLT). Only half the people were ready in this story. When Jesus returns the other half will not understand that their own indifference, coldness, or lack of concern made them unprepared. Today there are times when Christians attempt some work for God but are stopped by the coldness of the people without oil in their lamp. Our American Church is in trouble and all born-again Christians can see it. Having oil in our lamps (the Spirit) is what it takes to be victorious. 

There are numerous reasons why churches are failing God. Being nonchalant is not what Christianity is about. In other words, Jesus is sick of our indifference. In a message to the seven churches of Revelation Jesus said: …be diligent and turn from your indifference. (Rev 3:19 NLT). The Lord’s sheep must be doing exactly what the Shepherd is telling them to do. We must not be doing our own thing. Someday, He will divide the sheep from the goats. Once again, only one half the people were ready for His return. The good news is that the Spirit of Christ can give us victory over anything in this world. It is much easier to have the help of our church but the Lord will find a way. Remember that victory is available to every Christian.  

Following the Spirit is the victory we must have for eternal life. Jesus said: To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. (Rev 2:7 NLT). Many of us have been told that every believer gets to go to Heaven. The truth is that a believer must have a relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the oil in our lamps. Every Christian today must listen to the Spirit and obey what Jesus has commanded in order to find victory. Many people like to say, I am under grace and don’t need to do anything. This is very wrong. A Christian life must include a “constant and earnest effort to accomplish” our task. We find victory in our life when we are sincere with our God. 

Every day that Israel was in the desert, the Lord provided their bread without any work. We will be provided for in eternity without any worries. What a wonderful reward awaits every over comer: To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. (Rev 2:17 NLT). A victorious life should be a priority for every Christian. Another promise to the over comer: There are some in the church … who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. (Rev 3:4-5 NLT). It is time for us to pick up our heads and look for victories in our lives. 

Some people think there is nothing for them to do in their new life with Jesus. But we must serve God the way our Savior instructed us. A Christian should know that our indifference will not be acceptable. Jesus said: So be diligent and turn from your indifference… Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. (Rev 3:19, 21NLT). Our attitude is very important when we serve the Lord. In order to serve others we must overcome anything that is suppressing our love for others. It is time for us to repent of our indifference and serve the Lord in His victory at Calvary.  Eternal life is our reward and we should live with this hope. 

Think about some of the benefits. God will protect us from eternal death. The Bible says: Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. (Rev 2:11 NLT). In addition Jesus said that we would live in a great city with Him: And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. (Rev 3:12 NLT). This is a double reward because we will not suffer eternal death but instead will live with God. Every Church for two thousand years has been instructed to live in spiritual victory because of what Jesus has provided for us. Let us enter Heaven as an over comer who lives a worthy life in our Savior.

Endurance Teaches Maturity

In our everyday lives we must endure many burdens. But when we are a Christian these difficult things actually have a purpose. When we have trials they can teach us to be righteous. During the Sermon on the Mount Jesus made this statement: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:10 KJV). It is how we handle these things. Sometimes at work our problems seem large but we know that inside of the church we find help through joy, peace and loving people. The church is not perfect however. Believe it or not, the righteous Church does upset worldly people at times. Some people feel their guilt by simply being around righteousness. Anyway, a Christian strives for righteousness so that they will mature and please God.

Ridicule is another thing that causes people to stay away from God and His Church. It is possible that worldly people can feel that living a righteous life will bring them ridicule or persecution. A lack of popularity is very frightening to some people. How sad it is when a frightened person misses out on the pleasures of eternity in Heaven because of worldly interest. It is fairly well known that unsaved people are afraid to give up their worldly lives. The astonishing thing is that many believers who attend church also fear this. They will not confess their love for Jesus to outsiders because of ridicule. Many times when they should stand up for righteousness, we do not hear a word out of them. We must make Jesus the Lord of our life. 

People know that in their place of work there may be reprisals for going against the worldly flow of events. There have been times when unbelievers curse the name of God and a believer will not even defend the Savior. We could say that a worldly person who fears ridicule has a reasonable excuse. Of course, God is not interested in our reasoning but only in our faith. However a believer should be wholeheartedly confessing the Lord because it is our calling. Peter said: But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. (1 Peter 2:20-21 NLT). God has called His people to live righteously and He is pleased when we endure suffering for Him.

At some time or another all Christians will be persecuted for righteousness sake. In fact, Jesus was killed for His perfect life. We must reach an understanding within ourselves by admitting that suffering for righteousness is a normal part of a faithful life. Thankfully, this life is not as hard as we imagine.  Jesus wanted to relieve our fears when He said: For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. (Matt 11:30 NLT). There is a power that comes into a Christian when they live by faith. This power makes a righteous life easy and gives us internal peace at the same time. When we witness to someone we should attempt to put them at ease while we take our stand for righteousness. By faith, the Spirit will give us the words to speak. 

Our life of faith is all about righteousness. Paul talked about his life: I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (Phil 3:9-11 NLT). After clearly saying that he became righteous through faith in Christ, he goes on to say that suffering ridicule or persecution for this righteousness of Christ is what he expects. God’s way includes our faith and the power of the Spirit living in us. This is what it means to identify with Christ. 

A good life with Jesus is difficult but there are great rewards.  Paul explains: In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. (Romans 8:17 NLT). Every Christian loves to have the hope of glory on their mind but we sometimes forget that we must share His sufferings. Our church is made up of God’s children of faith and we must work together through the trials of this life. It is very hard to suffer alone but this is one of the reasons Jesus made us into a church. It is a great honor to be allowed to identify ourselves with the Savior of the world. But it is our duty to adhere to the members of a local church. 

Paul was a very tough, down to earth man who was in jail when he said that suffering was a great privilege. The Scripture says: For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. (Phil 1:29-30 NLT). We can see here that living a righteous life is an honor and that all the church should enter the struggle together. Our church today has not had much physical abuse but we certainly can be involved in some serious mental suffering. Always remember that the Spirit of Jesus came to Earth to comfort the followers of Christ. With the Spirit’s help we are able to stand up for Jesus in every situation. 

Peter also wrote about living a righteous life and he had learned everything the hard way. Look at what he said: But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. (1 Peter 3:14-15 NLT). This was the same man that had been afraid to claim the friendship of Jesus before the Spirit came. Some people ask why Christians persist in serving the Lord. We can never completely explain our actions. Most people are very shallow and deceit can hold them in ignorance. The only way to really understand Christian service is to enter into a life of faith.

Remember that the world is sometimes frightened by our suffering. They don’t have the strength in themselves. Our life is no longer about our own desires. The Scripture says: Be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering… So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:13-14 NLT). When the Spirit of God rests upon us, we can relax in any situation. We know that by God’s grace the Savior tasted death for everyone. Now we have a chance to enter Glory as a child of the King. Our life should be an example of Jesus that is clear to everyone.

The people of the world can see Jesus in a Christian. They react because they do not understand. It is possible that the world can sense the fact that we will be rulers someday. This certainly does not make sense to them. But Paul said very clearly:  This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. (2 Tim 2:11-12 NLT). My friends, it will be wonderful to reign with Jesus someday. We must be careful to stay in the power of the Spirit. Trying to go it alone will always end up badly. Because the world is afraid of Christianity, they are always attempting to pull us back into their worldly ways. Don’t let this happen. Remember, our hope is always in the Lord.

Inner Strength

The greatest “event” possible in the life of anyone is to obtain eternal life. Eternal life actually begins the moment we are saved. A spiritual strength begins to build inside of us. This strength was never there before. It is a sign to us that something real has taken place in our life. Our new abilities enable us to live in a way that pleases God. Some church people have made the mistake of thinking that simply walking down the aisle is enough. The formal action of joining a church has fooled some people into thinking they are saved. Thankfully, at some later time in life, some of these deceived people do have an actual encounter with God. When we become saved there will be a whole different motivation for our new life.

When the Spirit of God moves inside a person they should take this special time of awareness to dedicate their life to God. This is what Jesus said: If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  Mark 8:34-36 (NLT) There are only a few humble people who will listen to the inner voice that will ask them to repent and spend their life for God. It is responding to God with our whole life that contains the assurance of being delivered from judgment day. Most people will hold on to their worldly life until they die. 

If real salvation comes to us the new birth event will include the Spirit moving into our body and our whole life will then belong to the Lord. Jesus said: I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of … the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.  So don’t be surprised when I say, "You must be born again.”  John 3:5-8 (NLT) Never fear the Spirit living in you because Jesus tells us that His burden is light. When the new birth event takes place most people are not cognitive of the Spirit’s presence in their body. We will learn to know Him as our new life grows. Jesus said that every human must be born for a second time. 

At our salvation, the Spirit moves in and brings everything with Him that God has offered to a redeemed human. We must accept every new thing He has for us. Immediately after salvation a person will usually feel as if the weight of sin has been lifted off their shoulders and elation carries them along for a few months. However, spiritual maturity will require a process of perception to be fostered in regard to the Spirit. Most of us are unaware of the Spirits many gifts which at some point will require us to move from our childish beginnings toward spiritual adulthood. At first we are usually unaware of the presence of Jesus inside us. Then, as we begin to have experiences with the Spirit, He will become our dearest friend. 

When we begin to experience the Spirit in our daily life it is the most wonderful thing that can happen to us. Paul said: You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  Romans 8:9-11 (NLT) Things like love, joy, and peace will accompany our awakening to the guidance of the Spirit. As we learn to perceive the presence of the Spirit we will notice that spiritual experiences that are becoming part of our everyday life. Our salvation event becomes a continuing experience. 

The purpose of the Spirit in us is to work a twofold manifestation. First, is that our personal life is completely changed. Second, we begin to see ourselves as part of a church. Look at the beauty of Paul’s description: we are God’s masterpiece. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. Eph 2:19-22 (NLT) We are God’s masterpiece and His plan is to use us as part of His holy temple. WOW! There is nothing that human’s can experience to ever compare with the building of God’s temple. 

To really know God personally, we must move beyond our salvation and begin to have conscious experiences with the Spirit. For example, there is always a discussion about whether or not a Christian is perfect. If a person has only had the event of salvation it may soon be argued that this man is certainly not perfect. However, when a Christian becomes aware of the Spirit working in them they will begin to realize their new power. The Bible says: He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10 We are completely new in Jesus Christ when the Spirit controls our life. This completion or perfection is how we are able to die perfect and go directly to be with God. 

There is a purpose for the Christian life. It is to be a servant of God. We are not saved for any other reason. Paul wanted us to know the Spirit: I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Eph 3:16-17 (NLT) Somehow many American believers have become afraid to even discuss the Spirit. They are limiting the most important experience needed for living a proper Christian life. Can we see how important it is for us to become aware of the Spirit in us and to experience a life controlled by Him? How great it is that we are allowed to follow the leading of the Spirit and become a part of God’s eternity.

Everything that needs to happen for a redeemed person to enter a life with God has already been done, excluding the change of our physical body. Our job is to simply accept all that Jesus has done as our own truth. Jesus is the head of the church and a church is perfect when the life of the Spirit is flowing through it. We are part of something big: Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.  Eph 4:3-6 (NLT) There was no church in the Old Testament. Thank the Lord we have been born at a time when the Spirit comes to live in Christians.

Jesus ascended to His Throne of the Redeemer and then God sent the Spirit down to live in His family.  The possibility of building the Church is now a reality. After the salvation event a human can now begin to experience their growth into part of Christ’s Body. Paul said: growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Eph 4:15-16 (NLT) Because of our position in the body of Christ, the Bible says that we help display God’s wisdom. We are members of God’s family and He relies on us to be good servants. 

Paul taught us that the local church must be doing the work of God. It is important that we belong to a local Christian group. There is no way that an individual can do the work that God wants done without the help of brothers and sisters. When we attend church, we should be excited about the opportunity to encourage the other members. The body of Christ is greatly loved by God. We must work together so that the power of God will touch someone’s life. Every Christian has the responsibility to live as much like the Savior as possible. Remember that Jesus is the Head and we are intended to be a small part of His Church. Christian friend, ask God to expand your born-again event into a wonderful life-long experience.