A timely devotional from JAP:
Romans 13:11-12 “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.”
We are living (right now) in the darkness of the world, we cannot escape that, but as believers, we are not part of the world. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2).
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10), and our gracious Lord did just that when He saved us and gave us His Holy Spirit with gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, boldness, and the fear of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). But these things are not given for our self-glory. The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (for service)—not only for growth in our Lord’s body (the church), but for boldness to return to that dark world to show those still lost in the quagmire of sin that there is new hope, with the promise of God’s “plans to prosper and not hurt” through His Son, Jesus (Jeremiah 29:11).
Believers are not part of the world! “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20, 21).
But we are warned to wake up from our slumber, because that glorious day when our salvation will be made complete is nearer now than when we first believed! The night is nearly over, that glorious day is almost here, and we wait breathlessly for that moment in God’s time when “the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words!” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). (Vanish, disappear, depart, Rapture, Harpazo)
Believers feel the blessings and joy of living in the light, of being adopted into God’s family as His devoted children, yet we cannot really imagine what it will be like to stand in His presence and hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness.” (Matthew 25:23). So, let us be certain we have put aside the deeds of darkness (anything of this world that is not Godly) and are wearing that armor of light (Ephesians 6:10-18), so that none of the devil’s fiery darts can threaten our security and faith in our Lord’s purpose for us (and for that lost world): “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing!” (1 Timothy 2:8).
With joy and praise we thank you Lord for Your presence in us today, the peace of knowing that You have saved us from the Great White Throne judgment (known as the second death) Revelation 20:11-15 and that we have begun to live in heaven, with that eternal life in Your presence, as we serve You with new hearts preparing for that day that is nearer now then when we first believed!
Rejoice believers! Now go into the darkness and serve!