dailywordofdestiny

“It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1Corinthians 1: 30).

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1: 13, 14).

This word “redemption” is the key word and it has a great deal to do with the world. The Israelites were “redeemed” out of Egypt, which is for us a figure of this world under satanic rule. “So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders” (Deuteronomy 26: 8). What does this mean for us today? It means everything! If God has placed us IN CHRIST, then because Christ is altogether out of the world, we too are altogether out of the world. HE is now our sphere; and because we are IN HIM, we are by definition out of the world (Colossians 1: 13, 14). If God has placed us in Christ and Christ is “made unto us redemption” – then that means that within us God has set Christ Himself as the BARRIER to resist the world. Hallelujah!

I am certain that all of us have made attempts to resist the world and failed miserably. The reason we failed was that the effort was impossible from the beginning and trying to be unworldly is not only impossible, it;s unnecessary. It is because of the indwelling of Christ that the world cannot reach me. This knowledge is of utmost importance to every believer for this VERY DAY and for the ones to come. Each of us need to KNOW who we are IN HIM before we allow the tyranny of unrealistic expectations bring discouragement. I do not need to try to resist or escape this world’s system of things. If I look within “myself” for something with which to overcome the world, I will INSTANTLY find everything within me crying out FOR that world; and if I struggle to detach myself from it, I simply will become more and more involved ( see Romans 7: 14- 25). But, let that day come when I RECOGNIZE THAT WITHIN ME CHRIST IS MY REDEMPTION and that IN HIM I AM ALTOGETHER OUT OF THIS WORLD; that will see the end of my struggling. I will be able to confidently tell HIM that I can do nothing about this “world business,” but I thank Him with all my heart that He is my Redeemer. It is my prayer that each of us will come to FULLY COMPREHEND and LIVE in this truth (Ephesians 1: 18-23; 3: 16-21; 4: 9-16)!

It is also important that each of us “count the cost” of discipleship. When the world meets IN US a natural human (humanistic philosophy) honesty and decency, it appreciates this and is ready to pay us due respect. But as soon as it meets that in us which is NOT OF OURSELVES, namely the Person of Christ, its hostility is at once aroused. For let the world evolve as it will, it can never produce one Christian. A so-called “Christian civilization” like ours here in America gains the recognition and respect of the world. The world can tolerate that; it can even assimilate and utilize that. But, Christian life – the LIFE OF CHRIST in the believer – that the world hates; and wherever the world meets it, it will oppose it to the death (John 15: 18-25).

Light Shines Above Darkness Christians have a vital place in the world; we are here to let His LIGHT shine in the darkness all around us, bringing glory to God, our heavenly Father. In His prayer to Father on behalf of each of us (John 17) Jesus says, “I do not pray that You take them from the world, but that You keep them safe from the evil one.” I believe many who profess to KNOW Jesus want to know Him only at a comfortable distance (see Exodus 20: 18-21). There are some who want a ministry, but they want it founded on their own terms. When we try to do something that God has not called us to, it eventually becomes a heavy burden. Often, the resulting “spiritual dryness, depression, or discouragement” becomes equated with “resisting the devil” (James 4: 7) when the truth is that we are trying to deal with the results of our own choices. The incurably religious people will often try to overcome the world by simply conforming to it.

We were created distinct from the world and we are to accept with JOY the fact that God has placed us in it! The LIFE of Christ within us is the only safeguard we need; for where there is TRUE LIFE, there should be no fear of the world (John 10: 10; 16: 33). The enemy can ONLY BE OVERCOME by the Blood of the LAMB (Revelation 12: 10). You resist him by HIDING IN CHRIST. Jesus simply wants to LIVE HIS LIFE WITHIN US. It is Christ Himself who is speaking, witnessing, fathering, befriending, writing and singing through us! True FAITH is NOT about you trying; it IS about you DYING (John 3: 30). “… For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1: 19-21).

One of my favorite authors is Watchman Nee and over the past few weeks I have been rereading some of his work. Many of the thoughts I expressed today stem from what he addressed in various books. He was indeed a true “son of God” and his life expressed what he entitled one of his books, “A Man of Suffering.” He lived in China and was imprisoned in 1952 for his unfailing love and commitment to Jesus Christ. He died in prison after fourteen years of relentless torture. YET, he never failed to give God praise and thanksgiving for where he was each day. Many prisoners and guards came to know JESUS through his witness of Christ’s unfailing love through all our trials. IN CHRIST, Watchman stood outside the world! Could you?

Charles Wesley… “Father, In Whom We Live”

“Father, in whom we live; in whom we are, and move; the glory, power, and praise receive; for Thy creating love.

Incarnate Deity (JESUS); let all the ransomed race; render in thanks their lives to Thee; for Thy redeeming grace.

Spirit of Holiness; let all Thy saints adore Thy sacred energy; and bless Thine heart renewing power.

ETERNAL, TRIUNE LORD; let all the hosts above; let all the sons of men, record and dwell in Thy love.”