November 2, 2021 (Tuesday)
The last of the five sola’s the Reformation movement
recovered was “soli Deo Gloria” (for the glory of God alone). This one is NOT a
theological point, it is motivating factor for a life well lived that points
people to God. It is for people who are followers of Jesus, not just preachers,
teachers, and evangelists.
Paul advised, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for
men.” [Colossians 3:23 ESV] That is “whatever
you do.” It is not qualified, there are no requirements, and extends to
everyone everywhere at all times. While it may appear we are working for
people, our energy and attention must be as if we are doing this for Jesus.
Jesus said, “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited
me, I was in prison and you came to me…. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell
you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of
mine, you did for me.’” [Matthew
25:36, 40 ESV] Remember when you offer the hand-up, Jesus takes it personally.
When you refuse to offer the hand-up, Jesus takes it personally.
Ever since the Garden of Eden, humanity has behaved
selfishly. Eve was deceived (see 1 Timothy 2:14) by the lure, “So when the woman
saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and
that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate…” [Genesis 3:6a ESV] From that moment on, we have
followed the enemy of our souls into battle to claim God’s throne.
Lucifer once boasted, “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of
the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the
heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” [Isaiah 14:13 – 14 NIV] When we attempt to steal the
glory of God, we are just following the devil.
There is the contrast. A life lived in service to God and
others is the “Christ-life.” It’s what Jesus did. It is what we do because we
follow Jesus. The life lived in service for ourselves is the “self-life.” It is
condemned to misery an ultimately spiritual bankruptcy.
Let’s flash forward to a time God showed John in the book of
the Revelation. We see this amazing scene where God the Father is holding a
scroll nobody could open. As Jesus steps up to take the scroll we hear a new
song, “Worthy are
you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your
blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and
nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall
reign on the earth.” [Revelation 5:9 –
10 ESV]
Because of Jesus blood that ransoms (purchases) us we can
join the heavenly crowd, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and
wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” [Revelation
5:12 ESV] It was in improbable story: Jesus is crucified and dead is just dead…
NOT!!! Jesus laid down His life and took it up again (see John 10:17 – 18).
The question for you today is: When you stand before God, if
He were to ask you “Why should I let you into Heaven?” What would your answer
be?
There is only one correct answer (John 14:6).
No comments:
Post a Comment