It is important that I understand, in human terms, what this means! It is much like a young Royal being prepared for taking on the throne; they have to learn, to understand, to develop, and one lifetime to get it, and do it right! They study many things which will grant them the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to honour their stature, and responsibility! They are taught certain lessons which lend them grace, charm, composure, ability to think in action, and on it goes! They are bent, shaped, formed, and refined, through a series of conditions, procedures, and lessons!!!
Shouldn't I, also, take my role, and responsibilities to *GOD* as seriously, as meticulously, as imperatively to the time HE comes for me? Shouldn't I KNOW what it is which pleases HIM, and serves HIS WILL? Shouldn't I strive to step into that role in the moment, that I am DOING as HE has instructed me to do, with my future in mind???
THE LORD is working me over; improving me, or better yet, REACHING the REAL me, beneath the layers of crusty worldliness! HE is cleansing me, purifying me, and removing the stains of my ignorant ways! HE is leading me farther, and farther from the adversary who piled high on my being, the filth of the world, and obscured the TRUE me, the spirit! Yes, HE is working me over, and eradicating what remains in me that might work against me, and against what is fit of HIS own!!!
I can sense progress, I can sense growth, I can sense greater understanding flourishing within me, which just happens to show at certain times, as I go through this journey! I seem to notice that some of the egocentric habits of the past are changing, and as they change, I seem to understand why it was necessary that they no longer exist, for they were as caked on mud on my being, and honestly, useful for nothing! I am aware of the honour of being a citizen of a KINGDOM such as the human mind cannot quite grasp, yet, eagerly looks forward to, and so, I feel a certain responsibility to being UP to it!!!
Of course, NONE of this happens on my own; *GOD* is at work here, and is offering ALL I need to be prepared for what is to come, and I retain the right to accept, or decline! I now realize that accepting HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, HIS WORD, HIM TOTALLY, means no looking back, and surrendering to what HE WILLS for my time! There is NO duality in this acceptance; it is HIGHLY improbable to accept HIM, and to cling to the world, because HE keeps me too busy to, and has taught me to understand what the world has done to me, and yet has the potential to do to me, if I don't watch myself!!!
My place is not found in this world; my home is not here; my LIFE is not found in this plane! ALL I am, all I will be, is in that New Heaven, and Earth, of which I am a citizen, and over which, my LORD *GOD*, and SAVIOUR shall reign, for all eternity, and never again, shall there exist any opposition, oppression, or anything contrary to what is HOLY, right, just, and good! HE is already IN me, and with me, therefore, shouldn't I HONOUR HIM in every way feasible, but especially by submitting to HIS WILL which will finish me, and refine me to take my place in the ROYAL assembly of THE MOST HIGH?!?
REV. LWINSOR © 2013 '
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
Concerning PHILIPPIANS 3: 20-21...
20/ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
21/ He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ.
He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours.
Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way.
True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him, will seek more nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. In these things there is a great difference among real Christians, but all know something of them.
Believers make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. If they differ from one another, and are not of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they must not judge one another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet shortly in heaven. Let them join in all the great things in which they are agreed, and wait for further light as to lesser things wherein they differ.
The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensual appetites. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end.
The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his home are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is, there will his conversation be. There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they will appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; not only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage.
Observe the power by which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepared for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service.
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