He Didn’t Forget HIs Church!
As Resurrection Sunday, 2018 fades into the archives of time, we must never forget that though Jesus died, though He rose again and was seen for forty days afterwards before He went to heaven, that was not the end of the story. Jesus, like any good Father provided for His own:
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Ephesians 1:20-23 (NLT)
Make no mistake about it, the SAME power that raised Christ from the dead, now lives in us! That same power placed Him at the right Hand of the Father where He was given all authority to rule over all things relative to the church. The church is the body of Christ, who is the express design that the Father wanted to abide in the world until Jesus comes again. What happens is the enemy of our soul continues to taunt us so we will not lean into the power and authority that we have as Christ’s church. Are there problems in your church, no doubt there are. Where there are people who dwell together in any relationship, the enemy tries to divide and conquer. Yet, we have already been told:
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:708 (KJV)
We already have love, because God is love; it’s not that we don’t love each other, it’s that we don’t always agree with each other. Paul instructed the Philippians:
1-4 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)
Having love and walking in love are two different things. We have to be intentional about not only loving, but coming together in agreement. This requires first of all agreeing to disagree, without being disagreeable. Secondly, it requires a level of respect that we must have for each other, which usually comes when we learn to esteem others more highly than we do ourselves. Jesus’ last act with His disciples was to act as their servant washing their feet, the job given to the lowliest of servants. That was Thursday night, by Sunday He had been given all power over heaven and earth. It’s amazing what can happen when we give God a little time!
Maria