1 Corinthians 6:20

 

God-sent Christians

If I were asked to determine the spiritual vitality of any religious group using only one criterion, I would evaluate its representative leaders. Are they a group of individuals vying for power, arming themselves with arguments to defend their position and exert their will? Or are they servant leaders knit together by the Holy Spirit who are collectively trying to discern God's will? Similarly, if I wanted to determine the spiritual vitality of an individual using only one criterion, I would evaluate whether the person desires to live according to the will of God, or if he desires to do his own thing. The prayer of a vital, growing Christian is, "Make me know Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths" (Ps.25:4). Once our will is bent in the right direction, Jesus raises the additional question of motive: "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him" (Jn.7:18). The person who is true glorifies the one who sent him. This is perfectly modeled in the Godhead. Notice first the example of Jesus: "For I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me" (Jn.8:42). The Holy Spirit acts in the same way. In John 16:13, 14, Jesus said, "He [the Spirit] will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak... He shall glorify Me." I can take this one step further. Are you ready for this? Jesus said in John 20:21: "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Granted, that was said to the apostles, but we are all under the Great Commission. Do you want to be true? Then glorify the One who sent you! People who know they are God-sent and are committed to live like that, glorify God. Self-sent people seek their own glory. Prayer: Today, Lord, I purpose to reflect my appointment as Your sent-one by glorifying You instead of myself.

 

bought with a price

"You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (RSV) It is a widespread faith, we find it even with the most primitive peoples, that sacrifices are necessary to pacify 'powers above us', and if possible, secure their favor, so that calamities will be prevented. The original Jewish faith knew also the bringing of sacrifices. The most fundamental sacrifices in their religious system were the sin- and guilt sacrifices. In bringing these sacrifices people received freedom from guilt and moral defilement caused by sin; reed Leviticus 4 en 5. Christ had made it his purpose, according to Gods wil, to free human beings once and for all from guilt and moral defilement. He reached that goal - so He knew - through the offering of his life as satisfaction of Gods righteousness. His death is an historic event - nobody doubts that. The message grounded on this fact is: "I died as the true guilt- and sin-sacrifice for all humans, so that they may know to be freed from all guilt. And, when they know to be freed from guilt, they also know that the power of sin is destroyed in them. For He, who touches God by faith, is loosened from the power of the evil one." Indeed, the consequences of this 'knowing by faith' are enormous: Freedom from guilt, reconciled with the Most High God, the power of the Spirit of God poured out in us, a thankful heart, a fantastic eternal future in fellowship with God. Yes, realize afresh the tremendous possibilities of this faith! Live today fully out of these wonderful implications of faith in Jesus Christ! Sing, shout, worship, dance and serve God and bless your fellow men in His Name. Yes, glorify God in (with) your body!