Hebrews 4:11(NKJV) 11Let us therefore be diligent (KJV; labor) to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
It is very important that we live as real believers. I have felt for many years that we are entering a very significant time in history. The world is changing and not always for the best. There is pressure in almost every realm of life. Our culture is constantly being weakened by a lax attitude toward sin. Our world is increasingly unstable due to the influence of factions that want to remake culture in their own image. Everything from major war to financial collapse is possible.
I do not know how anyone can look at the natural world and not wonder at the amount of devastation we have seen over the last 5 to 10 years. There have been so much destruction from natural disasters and extreme weather, that in my 57 years I have never seen anything like it. Some point to the influence of man on the climate and say that is the cause. However there is no real evidence of this. I fail to see how man can influence earthquakes and tsunami waves. I believe there is another cause. Look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24:7(NKJV) 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
Does this sound at all familiar? I believe we are seeing the inevitable effect of sin on our world. God has sustained it, but Jesus looked into the future and saw a time when the world would not be able to stand much more sin and spiritual death. Hear is another verse that is interesting.
Romans 8:22(NKJV) 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
The wonderful world that God created for his children is groaning under the weight of sin and death. It was never meant to carry the corruption of the fall of man. It was meant to be a place where man and God interacted in peace and beauty. However it was cursed by sin and now that curse has nearly run its course.
This verse says that the whole creation is in the final stages of labor. Something is being brought to birth. There is a great change coming. I do not pretend to know whether it is the final change that will lead to the return of Jesus or if it is one of many times in history where God intervened in order to preserve the earth for that day. Either way it is time for a manifestation of God’s glory in the earth.
How will that manifestation come? Look again at Romans.
Romans 8:19-21(NKJV) 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
It is as if the creation is on the edge of its seat waiting for a group of people to rise up and be the sons and daughters of God. This scripture has lead to some pretty interesting and often damaging doctrines over the years of the church. Some have taken it to mean that a super race of Christians would arise with the power of God at their disposal. Some have taken this to mean that there would be a generation who would not die physically. Most of this kind of thinking has led to great error, division and hurt for many.
I do believe that there is a church that will rise up to walk in the power of the first generation church and more. We have yet to see the shadow of a believer heal the sick as Peter’s did. There is much that the bible describes that I want to see and have not seen up to now. However I think there is something much more fundamental to consider when we speak of a manifestation of the sons of God.
All of this goes back to what we began studying last week. I believe the first manifestation of the sons of God the world needs is a people who can walk in the principles and moral lifestyle that the bible teaches. I believe the world is waiting for a people who will not accept a relativistic approach to right and wrong. I believe the world is looking for a manifestation of a people who can walk in the real love of God as well as walking according to the absolute standards put forth in the word of God. If we can achieve that manifestation of true sons and daughters of God, I believe the rest will follow suit. However God is not going to pour out his power through corrupted vessels.
The question is how will we become pure vessels of God in an impure world. Last week we closed our discussion with Hebrews 4:11. I believe there is a directive in this verse that tells us how to be “sons and daughters of God.” We must give all diligence and make the point of our work entry into the rest. This rest is the spirit, soul and body of man working together in the harmony God intended. The spirit of man is the part that was designed to be in control. Only then will we be able to display true son-ship to the world.
Galatians 5:16 tells us that if we walk in the spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. If we walk in the flesh we will have the works of the flesh. If we walk in the spirit, with the inner man created in the image and likeness of God in control, we will have the fruit of the spirit. That is just the way it is. Read those two lists in Galatians 5. I believe you will see that our world is dominated by the list that describes the works of the flesh.
Imagine a people who are truly dominated by the second list, the fruit of the spirit. Imagine millions of these people influencing every nation. Imagine them proclaiming the Jesus of their lifestyle to their friends and neighbors. Imagine their words backed up by true Christ like living. Somehow I do not think that the power of God would be a problem.
Our world needs this kind of manifestation. It needs you and I to be real Christians. It is through people like this that God can create a channel for his power and presence that will change the world. I encourage you today. Be diligent, work hard, to come to the place where your spirit is in control of your everyday living. I believe you will see the influence of that lifestyle change you and as a result change the world around you.
Leave a Reply