Are You in Jesus?

The other day during our children’s outreach we were discussing Noah. I asked the children (and adults present) who of them never do anything wrong. Obviously nobody could claim it. I then explained to the children that in Noah’s time God had to destroy all sin on earth, simply because He could not tolerate it any more. I then asked them who would survive if God had to do it again today. After the children have contemplated for a while, one lad answered: “Jesus”. He hit the nail right on the head. God is going to destroy all sin again, and only Jesus and those who are in Him are going to be saved.

We read in Ephesians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

Christ is blessed and chosen, and those who are in Him are going along for the ride.

But it is not only a ride, and staying in Christ is not automatic. Our actions and choices determine whether we are in Christ.

From John 15:4-7 it is clear that it is possible to leave Jesus (get out of Him) and do your own thing: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me,” (verse 4). We said just now that we are not only in along for the ride – we need to bear fruit. Judged by these words of His, Jesus assumed it to be obvious that His disciples will have a desire to bear fruit, for He gives us direction regarding the condition for bearing fruit – those who desire to bear fruit must remain in Him.

Then we read in verse 5:  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Again Jesus stressed the point that we are to remain in Him if we want to bear fruit, taking it for granted that those interested in Him will have a desire to bear fruit. But then He added that, apart from Him, we are useless, again taking it for granted that we would desire to do something.

We need to search our hearts whether we are motivated to promote the Kingdom of God, and if we are, do we stay in touch with the Holy Spirit and remain in Jesus? It is only in Jesus that we will have what we need to bear effective fruit: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, (verse 7).” This includes the blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:3-4 above.

And if we do not desire to bear fruit and because of that do not remain in Jesus, what then: “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned,” (verse 6).

How do you remain in Jesus? How do you actually remain in any relationship? By seeing your friend or spouse once a week for an hour; staring at one another? By just being on the receiving side, only calling on them when you need their help? No, the way any relationship grows is when we are there for one another, spending time together, and helping and supporting one another, making life easier for the other.

The same applies to being in Jesus. He needs us as much as we need Him. The greatest commandment is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” (Mark 12:30). How do you prove that you love your spouse? By saying every day that you love them? Maybe there is more to it, is there not? Loving your spouse is about doing those things that meet their needs. Does loving Jesus, and being in relationship with Him, entail singing in church with all your heart, soul, mind and strength that you love Him? I do not think so. It is doing with all your heart, soul, mind and strength that which He desires of you for the sake of the Kingdom. It is thinking about Him all the time, wondering what He desires of you next. It is laying down your life in order to proclaim His life (Matthew 10:39).

Are you in Jesus, or are you only concerned with yourself? Do you want to bear much fruit, hearing one day: “well done good and faithful servant”? Or do you want to be “picked up, thrown into the fire and burned”? (John 15:6)

Father, help me to remain in Jesus so I could bear much fruit?

The Sin of Missed Opportunities

One day, as the Holy Spirit prompted me to repent of opportunities that I did not pursue faithfully, I became aware of the sin of not being faithful with opportunities the Lord puts on our way.

We read in Colossians 4:5-6 (Amp): “Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.  Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].”

This refers to non Christians, but it applies equally to our interaction with one another.  What opportunities does the Holy Spirit refer to here?  We can call them Divine appointments.  In other words God has an appointment with you to make a difference in somebody's life, with the view to further His Kingdom in that person's life and the lives of those they influence.

Esau despised God's opportunity set out for him.

Holiness means to be set aside for God and we have learned a while ago that God being holy means that He is set aside solely for His purposes.  He has nothing on His agenda but His Kingdom.  Everything He works in and through us is for the sake of His Kingdom.

Therefore every opportunity He brings our way is Him trusting us to do it for the sake of His Kingdom.  This is why Paul urged believers to make the most of every opportunity coming our way.  It pleases the Lord when we obey by faith.

What does it mean to obey by faith?  When you receive a challenge maybe in your job, sport or hobby, you tackle it not necessarily having the required knowledge or skills initially, but by faith you proceed knowing that somehow you will figure it out.  I am sure many of us can identify with the scenario I have pictured here.

If we are able to do this for ourselves, how much more are we able to respond in obedience to an opportunity to help build God's interests, which He lays before us?  It is even easier, since we have the Holy Spirit guiding us in the successful pursuit of the opportunity.

We should consider how much we grieve the Holy Spirit when we, after He has gone to the trouble to prepare the opportunity for us, shove it back in His face so to speak.  How would you feel when someone volunteered to help you accomplish a project, you go through all the trouble to prepare their share for them, relying on their help, and then they let you down because their own interests are more important?

How does the Lord feel when we do it to Him?

What opportunities are we referring to?  These are opportunities to act on behalf of the Lord, since we are His hands, feet and voice.  These could be opportunities to encourage, share your faith, lead someone to the Lord, teach, help, serve, equip, plant a church, and use your gift - anything the Lord needs to build His Kingdom.

The second part of our passage under discussion (verse 6) speaks of how we should go about it.  It mentions graciousness of speech and being seasoned with salt. In my teaching on us being the salt of the earth from the Sermon on the Mount, we have learned that being the salt of the earth brings about tastiness for the Kingdom of God, a thirst for Him, as well as being an antiseptic, a preservative and a purifier of the earth and the condition it is in.  The same applies to the words and the way we address people. Seasoned with salt has to have the same effect as mentioned above.  Our words should create tastiness for the Kingdom of God, a thirst for Him, as well as antisepsis, preservation and purification in the person we address.

·         How often have you obeyed the Holy Spirit when an opportunity came your way?

·         How often have you ignored such opportunities because you had other agendas?  

·         Do you think the Lord will keep you accountable?   

·         Do you think the Lord need you to accomplish His holy purposes with His Kingdom?

·         Are you available?

Lord, I repent of my reluctance to obey you.  Please enable me to hear your voice better and to respond in obedience and faith.