No man wants to fail at anything, least of all the mission God created him to fulfill. As we saw last week, Christ-followers are:
- Called TO Christ (to a joyful love-relationship with him).
- Called TO BECOME LIKE Christ (to holy, Christ-like heart attitudes)
- Called TO EXERCISE DOMINION FOR Christ (to rule over every sphere of our lives implementing Christ’s agenda of righteousness)
Last week, we saw these three component parts in WCF Catechism Question # 1. We see them again this week in Christ’s ministry to us as, “The Anointed One.” The Greek word, from which “Christ” comes, and the Hebrew word, from which “messiah” comes, both mean “anointed one,” and refer to three Old Testament offices to which Jesus was set apart (anointed). He is the ultimate prophet, priest and king, which correspond to the three parts of our mission. Christ ministers to us as:
- PRIEST (to unite us to God)
- PROPHET (to make us holy)
- KING (to establish the righteous rule of God in every sphere on planet earth.)
Let’s focus on the first aspect of our calling—called TO Christ (to a joyful love-relationship with him.) Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” A joyless walk with Christ cannot supply the strength we need to win our spiritual battles. Here are three truths to remember to help you enjoy your relationship with Christ.
A. The goal of God’s whole plan of redemption is to restore us to the intimate fellowship with him that our sin destroyed. The wage of sin is separation from God. Adam and Eve, after they sin, are cast out of the presence of God. Through Christ’s work, as the atoning sacrifice for our sin, instead of our shame over sin driving us in fear AWAY from God, we are clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ so that we may DRAW NEAR TO GOD. “And,” says Paul, “we are not only ‘declared righteous' by God the Judge (a legal term meaning no punishment is required), we are “adopted” by God the Father (a familial term communicating endearment, love, and closeness). Our heavenly father’s love is so intimate that we get to call the God of the universe “Abba,” which really means “Dad.”
B. When you meet with Jesus, you are talking to someone who is full of understanding. In Hebrews 4, we read, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." He will never tire of forgiving you. You can never exhaust his mercy and compassion—because HE IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST who lives to constantly make intercession for us (Heb 7:25). He understands feelings inside of you that you don’t understand, yourself. Mark describes the heart of Jesus, “And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’” Jesus’ response to our spiritual leprosy is always the same. He is filled with compassion and he reaches out with a hand of love to touch us.
C. Jesus is the most fabulous human being in the universe. Colossians 1:15-20 reminds us who Jesus is. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. What an astounding privilege to personally get to walk with such a being. How astonishing that HE wants fellowship with ME!
Questions:
1. What do you think is the coolest part of having the God of the universe as one of your best friends?
2. Paul commands us, “Rejoice in the Lord (Phil 4:4),” which means “find joy in the Lord.” The secret to finding joy in the Lord is to praise him for who he is. Choose three characteristics of Jesus to praise him for right now.
Resource:
Desiring God, John Piper
