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The Appointment
"For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1st Thessalonians 5:9)
I've now have had medical insurance for the first time in years, and couldn't WAIT to
get an appointment for a physical exam. They gave me all sorts of tests and asked a lot of
questions. I had questions for them, too, and later, I realized I FORGOT a key question,
but it was too late!
We have an appointment with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and it's not too late for
Him. Generally, the President of the United States or the Monarch of Great Britain, would
be too busy to visit with ordinary people like you and me. Even if they had the time, it
would take too much ENERGY - they are human and have only so much strength for what they
must do.
This is not so with our Lord. He is God and has none of the limitations of an earthly
king. You have a valid opportunity to spend quality time with the King of Kings and Lord
of Lords. That's right - you have an audience with the King! (And He can't WAIT to visit
with you).
He does have some requirements you need to know about. FIRST, He will want you to
become a citizen of His country (kingdom). The entrance requirements are not difficult. He
simply wants you "to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ" (1st Thessalonians 5:9). That's reasonable. He believes in you and He
expects you to believe in Him, too. To be "saved" or "born
again" (as He puts it - John 3:3,7) is His requirement for your life and mine.
NEXT, He wants us to learn something about this new country and it's King. It's right
here in His Word (the Bible) –you are to "study to present
yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
Word of truth" (2nd Timothy 2:15). Also, "ALL
Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable" for you" (2nd
Timothy 3:16). The Bible will help you in many ways – especially you will learn of
Him.
And FINALLY, He wants you to accept gainful employment at your new place of residence.
He has a pretty good job for you, too - He would like you to accept the position of
"Ambassador" (2 Corinthians 5:19-20) and this is not an ambassadorship to
someplace you don't know. He wants you to take a job as Ambassador to this EARTH - the
very place you have lived all your life. You will get this position from the Father if you
want it, because you now have Good References - His Son, Jesus Christ.
Many have tended to think of God as someone who is filled with wrath at us - Step out
of line, & WHAM, He'll get you! But that's not Him. That's just your fears talking.
"God did not appoint us to wrath" (1st
Thessalonians 5:9 - again), but instead He wants our "salvation". He wants to
change us inside and make us FIT to be with Him and become His representative; to be truly
ALIVE for the first time.
To read His Word is not some kind of "chore" as we have supposed - it's
actually a surprising JOY. The reason is that you don't have to do it alone. Someone Who
loves you will do it WITH you. Jesus said, "When He, the Spirit
of Truth has come" (and He has come), He will guide you into all truth; for He will
not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak, and He will tell you
things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine, and declare it to
you" (John 16:13-14).
The Holy Spirit of God will show YOU the truth. He will tell you things which are to
come (not the "trends" of a political analyst, but the truth of what will soon
occur). And the Bible is all about our Lord - the Holy Spirit will reveal Him to us.
And finally, as to this "job" we talked about earlier (the
"Ambassador" position). Salvation in Christ makes you eligible for His purposes
in your life. Your study of His Word, as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit, provides the
training that is needed.
And now He waits - will you take the position? Will you WANT that which He has in store
for you? And the answer is - you should TAKE HIM UP on His offer!
As a person who has tried life without Him, I can assure you that anything the world
has to offer, just does not measure up. As a person who has tried to love Him but not go
where He wills, I can say with assurance: Don't take any substitutes - Follow the Lord!.
Challenges:
- GIVE yourself unreservedly to our Lord. Say "Yes" to Him. Repent of that which
holds you back, and give yourself to our Lord Jesus Christ.
- STUDY His Word. But do it prayerfully. Pray when you read and listen as you pray. Ask
Him for understanding and He will wonderfully bless you.
- GO in whatever direction He sends you. If it's to the guy next door or to a
"yurt" in Outer Mongolia. Go.
- TAKE whatever training He requires and offers you.
- SMILE through every tribulation.
"For God did not appoint you to wrath, but to obtain
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1st Thessalonians 5:9).
Father, we receive You now, through the Gift of Jesus Christ, the Son, Who died to set
us free. Thank You for the miracle of LIFE in Him. We will go where You want us to go, and
we will TRUST in You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.FirstChurchOnTheNet.org
www.FridayStudy.org
Write to:
Letters@FridayStudy.org
"While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"
(Romans 5:8)
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