What is the conclusion then to God’s announcement?
In yesterday's devotion, I shared a conversation I had among a sister and brother in Christ, concerning the awe and wonder of Christ, the Risen One seated at God’s Right Hand.
And today, I am rejoicing because of more clarity God is granting me, about those 7 churches in Revelations – His commendations and His reproof (except for one church).
In examining these churches more closely, I find that each one “shifted” from something that caused the Lord to speak to them in correction. What was it?
A friend and brother in Christ once used a phrase that I like. He said, “tracking right.” I can see how we can either be “tracking on course” according to God’s way, or “getting off course.” This is the only reason the Lord would need to speak to us with reproof. Now here’s where I get thrilled – to understand what “staying on course” or “tracking right” really means.
First, what does it mean to “get off track?” Today was a great exercise in thinking on this. We tend to think it is when we do something outwardly in certain behaviors. But this is only “outward evidence.” Another way said: This is simply “fruit” or outward manifestation. Something had to get off course first, before outward manifestations ever came!
“Off God’s courses” means we’ve left the life of faith which I will call the “inner eye looking at Christ alone.” We’ve switched lanes to the “outer eye” which I will call looking at ourselves, others, performance, and what we are doing in order to “add” something to the Son of God or “perform” my way to “better conduct.” I’ll explain further.
And I will say it a different way. Faith is about understanding this incredible Gospel of Christ coming to live in these vessels of clay. Also it is about how our spirits, once dead in Adam – in sin and trespasses, made alive in Christ’s resurrection life.
Christ alone paid the price for ALL our sins – they’ve been washed away by His blood. As Romans 4 states it: we have been given an account with God which now have NO sins in it. The only “thing” imputed to our account is the Son of God. The record of my account is about the Son of God whose life, blood, works, and resurrection has made it full to overflowing in abundance provided by God’s grace.
So if I have an account on earth – what do I do? I draw from it. If I know it’s full and never is exhausted – will I go to that account or some other? We’d all think someone is a “dummie” if they kept trying to draw from a “bankrupt” or “empty” account when they had another one that is full! Duh!
We then, have two accounts to draw from: Christ or some self-made religion and ideas (comprised of self). This other account can look like so many different things but it is still drawing from self and not Christ.
We really do think we are not religious, but I think God can prove it to us in a second that we are, if we would let Him. He can show us if we are really living by faith of God’s miraculous and marvelous provision of Christ, or contrived things to “add” to the Gospel or improve ourselves!
Think about this: Jesus Christ is pure, He is holy, righteous, glorious, and He is LIFE. He’s my Account! And now He lives in me! WHO am I drawing from then?
With this understanding, there is no room for creating some outward religion to perform to “get” right behaviors. We all understand this about “getting right with God.” But do we understand this is living the life?
Another way said is find out which eye I am using: outward or inner. Find out WHO I am listening to – the Spirit of God who shows us Christ or spirits of men who have “mixed” beliefs.
What kind of effort could I put forth that could ever compare to HIMSELF dwelling in me to do and be through me? I Thessalonians 5 declares: “faithful is He who calls you, who will also do it!”
Tracking right is about faith from beginning to end. Believing that God has given a GREAT SALVATION – that it has nothing to do with a weak vessel performing to make himself or herself a “better Christian” by flimsy efforts of their own. Faith is the way of the believer: our account is solid because Christ Himself is in it!
Can we grasp this? Ephesians 3 says the Holy Spirit will strengthen us in our inner man so by His power we can GRASP this. When we do so, we will see real love among the members of Christ – we’ll start to discern and understand what’s really going on – and we will realize whether or not we are “commanding” others to live by rules or encouraging them to live by Christ alone.
Christ is all the fruit of righteousness, goodness, light and fruit! I personally can see “how” a person through not having a knowledge of HIM can struggle with sin all his life because he doesn’t know and understand the Truth. And I can see how others could still be condemning them for not looking and being like another vessel when that other vessel is not tracking according to the Word of God.
True tracking is the same for everyone: When Christ was crucified, we were crucified at the cross – the old man (Adam) was done away with! We were buried, our sins were buried because Christ bore them all. And we were raised with Him by His resurrection. Romans 6 has said: reckon yourself dead (in this way – God’s way) and ALIVE to God now through Christ Jesus. And now live and walk in Him. This is the newness of life!
Christ is our First Love (Rev. 2) – our Only Love. I couldn’t possibly begin to know what it means to have love for others without knowing Him as First Love.
Praising Him for a Full Account,
Sue Gaither
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