Coffee With The Lord

A “slave” or a “son” or daughter… In your relationship with God which do you relate to most – which best defines you?

Well, it depends somewhat on whose perspective you’re viewed from… Frankly, Apostle Paul’s favorite way of referring to himself personally was “a servant [bond slave] of Christ Jesus.” He did not view that, however, in demeaning terms! Paul saw himself as a “love slave” – indebted to the Lord for all He had done on his behalf in salvation and fully committed to fulfilling his calling, the Lord’s mission, and obedience to the Lord’s will! In this regard then, it is appropriate for every Christian to view themselves in this way!

On the other hand, this morning I read a wonderful passage that expresses how God, in His mercy and grace, views those He has redeemed! … We’re our “Heavenly Father’s sons and daughters!” His “children” if you please! In fact, even more – because of that relationship, we’re “heirs of God” and “fellow heirs with Christ!” In fact, God has put “His Spirit” within every believer that produces a “sense” of that relationship! Wow! How blessed, privileged and honored we are – what blessing, what grace!!! Here it is right out of the Bible…

“You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [and daughters] by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ [i.e. “Daddy!”] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ!” (From Romans 8:15-17 ESV)

Listen… My perspective? I owe the Lord everything – my mind, my heart, my body, my all! I view myself as a “love slave” of a wonderful Master! From His perspective though, we’re His “children!” And even His “heirs!” And if you doubt it, He has planted His Spirit within you as a “inner witness” to that fact, and the Holy Spirit produces the “spiritual sense” that you are a “child of God!” How good is that?!!!

Apostle John, in another place, put it this way: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! And so we are… Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is! And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.” (From 1 John 3:1-3 ESV)

I just finished reading Matthew 5.1-12 again at the beginning of this year! It is most often referred to as the “Beatitudes.” In that passage Jesus informed His disciples about who was truly “Blessed” as they lived out the culture of the “Kingdom of Heaven.”

As I read the passage I thought about how “counter cultural” these “Beatitudes” are in contrast to the way the broader culture thinks and what it values! Those who mourn over their failures and sin are “blessed”! Those who are gentle and non-assertive are “blessed!” Those who are “hungry” and “thirsty” to be righteous (and NOT self-satisfied with their lifestyle) are “blessed”! Those who are continually kind and merciful to others (even the undeserving) are “blessed”! Those who value a “pure heart” (an “inside-out” purity) are “blessed”! Those who value and promote “peace” – peace without ethical or moral compromise – are “blessed”! And finally, believe it or not, the persecuted, abused, reviled people because of their righteous lives or because they are devoted to Jesus are “blessed”!

I have to tell you all of those fly in the face of what the broader culture – the secular, godless, self-focused world – the world that operates and lives without reference to God, tends to value!

And the incredible blessings that accrue for those living by Kingdom values – Christ-centered values? God-given comfort! Incredible enjoyment of everything around you because God has given it to you to enjoy! Satisfaction in God-given mercy, forgiveness, and righteousness – not just a little of it – an abundance, a profusion of it! Imagine, God’s calls you His child… More than that, one day actually being in His presence and seeing Him face to face! And finally, the great reward of every imaginable blessing to be found in the Kingdom of Heaven…YOURS!

Wow!! Makes me want to structure 2014 and every year (and day) thereafter around Kingdom values… I want to live here and now by the values and culture of “another kingdom” – the Heavenly Kingdom – The Kingdom of GOD!

REPENT! REPENTANCE!! How do those words strike you – positively or negatively?

Don’t know why it is, but for most people those words have a negative connotation! That’s tragic, because the core meaning of the words are not negative at all … in fact, at the beginning of this new year, they are really positive! In fact the words “resolution” or “a fresh start” would be terms that are close cousins.

In my Bible reading today, John the Baptist’s message was, “REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Now, believe me, “the kingdom of heaven” is certainly not a bad thing! In fact it is the sphere of God’s reign… it is characterized by righteousness, God’s exhibited power and blessing, peace and wholeness. Where the Living God reigns things are good and right – not marred by evil and sin! However, to live uninhibited in that domain things do have to change!

That’s why John’s challenge was… “REPENT”! … Prepare the way for the Lord!”

“Repentance, however, is not merely a change of mind, but a radical change in one’s life as a whole! It involves forsaking sin and turning or returning to God.” Now that’s not negative – a “downer” – it’s really positive!! It prepares a person for living in the sphere where God reigns, leads, and blesses!

Just take it from me… I want to live in that sphere – that domain!! With God’s help, I’m going to seek to allow the Holy Spirit to identify anything in my life this year that hinders that sphere of power and blessing to be realized and CHANGE!! In other word’s … I’m going to REPENT! Hey, it’ll be good!! How about you?