High Stakes

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.  Romans 5:1-11 NASB

We have right standing with God because of Jesus Christ taking our sin as His death. When Jesus rose again three days later we were given, by Faith, His righteousness. 

Philippians 3:7-10 NASB But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

But we have more HALLELUJAH, yes the attributes of God, His righteousness,  and We also have communion with God. We have access to the life-giving, soul-thrilling, joy-producing communion with God through Christ (1 John 1:3; John 15:11). The Christian walk is about union and communion with Jesus Christ. 

Our hearts should desire this intimate relationship. We should long for fellowship with God. Our eyes are to be directed onto the horizon, Jesus Christ, all other things are sinking sand

David reflects this posture when he prays in Psalm 63:1-4 NASB “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

King David earnestly seeks God. His soul thirsts for God. There is longing to be in God’s presence. There is urgency.  Do we seek God like this? Do we desire the return of Jesus Christ in this manner? Jesus asks us to abide with Him, each and every one of us, and for thousands of years He has continued to invite God’s people to return and remain with Him.  

In John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples about this communion. He informs them that He has already made them clean (John 15:3), and has pronounced them clean during the upper room foot washing (John 13:10-11). This ceremony was a symbolic display of His incarnation, atoning sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus says this hours before going to the cross to bear mankind's sins and make His creation clean. So Jesus’ declaration in John 15:3 is a statement of legal status.

John 15:2-4 NASB Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 

Let's begin, and continue, praising the Lord of all creation for His holiness, His power, His provision, His forgiveness, His ways. Start, right this moment, cultivating a relationship with God through prayer. Carving out that time to listen for God’s guidance is super important. It was important yesterday, It matters today when we are saying goodnight to a loved one, and it matters tomorrow because that day is never promised. 

The stakes are high, emotions are running high, there is confusion and deception. We will need to rely on God supplying all things in the days ahead, make priority time in your day to intentionally listen for Holy Spirit and subsequently experience God’s deep peace and love.

When we carry Jesus’s light received so freely from our Lord we can pour it over our households, social groups, neighbourhoods workplaces EVERYWHERE AND ANYWHERE. We are all community together, for better or for worse.  In the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, celebration and calm God is with us and is active. Praise be to God!