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Monday, March 16,
2009
Change Of Address
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of
Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all,
then were all dead: (15) And that he died for all, that they which live
should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for
them, and rose again. (16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the
flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth
know we him no more. (17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
Having dealt with an election of a new
president back a couple of months ago, we see that once this person is
elected he is given a new title, as well as a new address in which to
operate from. You too are a part of a heavenly election, having accepted
your new life in Christ you are now given a new address or place to operate
in as well, that being the realm of the Spirit. Your old life and way of
thinking is now done away, so that you can walk in a higher realm and
partake of the divine nature of Christ having discarded and walked away
from the old fallen way of the flesh. Keep in mind, that with this new life
in Christ there must come a new way of thinking, because to whom much is
given much is expected as well. As with a new president, they take an oath
of office which they must follow through with or they may end up impeached,
or voted out of office. With your new life in Christ you have agreed to
walk by a new oath or higher standard, that being a walk by faith, no
longer allowing yourself to be so influenced by outward events, but rather
learning to trust more in the new inner man and what you hear from Him.
Philippians 3:18-20 (For many walk, of
whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are
the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) Whose end is destruction, whose
God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.) (20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (KJV)
Strong’s definition for ‘conversation’:
4175
politeuma (pol-it'-yoo-mah); from 4176; a community, i.e.
(abstractly) citizenship (figuratively):
Williams New Testament translation
of Philippians 3:18-20
18. For there are many, of whom I have
often told you, and now tell you in tears, who practice living as the
enemies of the cross of Christ. 19. Their doom is destruction, their
stomach is their god, their glory is in their shame, and their minds are
feeding on earthly things, 20. But we are citizens of the republic in
heaven, from which we are eagerly waiting for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
You know, with elected officials who are
now in the public eye having made promises to the people, they are now held
to a higher standard and scrutinized. Once they were elevated to a new
position they are expected to be leaders, not only in word but in deed as
well. Once you have accepted the Lord into your life you now are a partaker
and representative of His kingdom, and you too will be under the scrutiny
of people around you, as well as by the enemy of the Lord who would like
nothing better than to dish up some dirt on one of God’s people and try to
have them thrown out of their place in the body of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things are
of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given
to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then
we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray
you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (KJV)
An ambassador is someone who is sent to
represent a country; to present the terms and conditions for peace. For
someone to become an effective ambassador they would need to know who they
are representing, and how to speak the language that would get the message
delivered. So who and what are you representing today; are you familiar
with how things work in the realm of the Spirit, or are you still more of a
representation of the world and the things of this fallen realm? Are you
able to deliver a message of faith and love knowing first hand where that
message came from, or has doubt and fear crept in because you have left
your first love and commitment?
Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be
no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie
in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV)
You know, there is a reason why we don’t
elect children to make decisions and run this country, and there is a
reason why God doesn’t desire childish people to be a representation of His
plan of salvation either. One of the first things that one needs to learn
when they become a citizen of a new country is how to speak the language.
Another important thing is to know how the laws and customs operate so as
not to offend someone. Now that you are a citizen, a member and a fellow
heir of the inheritance in Christ it is vital that you spend enough time
getting to know the law of faith, and how to hear and operate effectively
in the realm of the Spirit. You are now a member, a citizen of an entirely
new and higher realm, a place located in heaven, a place our Lord prepared
for you so that you could sit with Him and hear His message of faith firsthand
and then go out and deliver it confidently, boldly, without wavering.
In conclusion today, to whom much is
given much is expected. Like with those who run campaigns and make great
promises to get elected, once they have a change of address and are put in
a new position then much will be expected of them. You as a child of God
are given a new address, a new realm to operate in by faith; so with all
that has been given and done on your behalf, how much is given in return?
Remember, with your new calling, with your new citizenship comes new
expectations and a new way of thinking as well as walking if one truly
desires to stay in good standing and not be deported.
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