Here’s an encouraging word from our own Russ Wilson. I think you’ll find it strengthening,
Ken
I’ve been asking the Lord what His destiny is for me right now. Pondering the scriptures, and renewing my relationship with Him, I realize how much the Lord Jesus Christ has done for me and loves me. But, what does He want me to DO today? I keep receiving two words: “in Christ!” These mean that I was on the Cross with Jesus since I am “in Him.” I have been resurrected “in/with Him”. I ascended into heaven with him since I am “in Him”. This happened to me when I was baptized into Jesus Christ, October, 1976.
Romans 6:3-5 states “Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;”
Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”. (World English Translation)
But, what does he want me to DO now in this world? What is my destiny? His answer was something I never expected. It was so amazingly simple, I couldn’t believe it. I want to share what He showed me, but first, ask yourself what YOU wish His destiny for You might be. Please stop now and think about this before you read on.
Thinking in earthly terms, you might wish God to give you a million dollars to start a ministry for the poor. Or, perhaps you hope to know the Bible so thoroughly you could give right answers to those who do not believe. It is a great idea to know the Bible thoroughly and to aid the poor. However, what he spoke to me was surprising and so simple:
Believe on the one he had sent!
That’s it! Wow, you mean all I need to do is believe or have faith? Yes, that’s it!
John 6:22-29 : Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.” They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
We are in His kingdom right now because we believe in Him not because of anything we could ever DO for Him. We are in Heavenly Places with Christ Jesus as per His word:
Ephesians 2: 6-7: God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with him in his heavenly kingdom because we belong to Christ Jesus.
Where he is, so am I – like a ribbon bookmark attached into a Bible. If that Bible is sent to Japan, the bookmark goes to Japan as well. If the Bible comes back to Santa Rosa the bookmark comes back with it. Similarly we are in Christ, where He is. Every day we can live from the Kingdom of Heaven since we are “in Christ.” When we pray – “Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come… on earth as it is done in heaven.” – we are requesting His Kingdom come and His will be done in us that day.
We are in the kingdom of God now by faith in Christ’s finished work: dead to our old selves, resurrected with Jesus Christ and ascended with him to sit at the right hand of the Father. That is the Biblical truth, but I need to walk by faith to believe that I am in His Kingdom right this minute. Being “in Christ in Heavenly Places,” we are setting our mind and spirit on things in the heavenly realm even though we are physically on the earth. We are currently under heaven’s rule.
What are the rules or law in this Kingdom? How would Royal Subjects of the most High God Live in His Kingdom? Later, we’ll consider who we are in Christ Jesus. Meanwhile, I pray:
(Ephesians 17-20) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places
Russ
P.S. From a brother, in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has learned somewhat about the reality of Jesus in my everyday life.
