Sadly, too many believers look to the modern day man-made, institutionalized religious culture as their model for faith and as a consequence, society is suffering from a lack of the Word of God in people's hearts. In many respects, this has led to a famine in the land, as the prophet Amos points out. (Amos 8:11) But it does not have to be this way.
Herein, apostle Paul is encouraging the believing saints in Ephesus (and you and I by extension) to believe in the Lord Jesus by faith and similarly, to walk worthy of the vocation in which we are called -- with all lowliness and meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another in love -- endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Thus, when we understand that the body of Christ church is no longer reliant on bricks and mortar and man-made hierarchies, but rather the Lord's instructions written in each and every one of our hearts, we will also come to understand that as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called into His ultimate freedom.
Therefore, in contrast to man-made religion, Jesus calls us into a personal relationship with Him wherein He calls us to stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)
It is in this context that He -- the risen Jesus (both Lord and Christ -- Acts 2:36) calls us to enter into His rest, partaking of the living water which only He offers -- wherein we will never thirst again. This is why Jesus tells us to cast all of our burdens upon Him for His yoke is easy.
Indeed, Jesus said, "Come unto Me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
In fact, when we repent and are water baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus, He clothes us in His righteousness. He cleanses our heart. He makes us complete when His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost -- the Comforter dwells within.
Thus, when we enter into the body of Christ church -- wherein the Lord Jesus is the Head of the church -- the one and only blessed potentate -- we press into the mark which is Christ Jesus. Our life motives change, and over the course of our faith journey, we learn (like the seven chosen to take care of the orphans and widows) to become a servant, disciple, and friend of the Lord Jesus, shining His love to others. He gives us hope and peace in the times of struggle, His abundance of love strengthening us to do all things -- both word and deed -- in His precious, holy Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Our relationship with Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords -- does not end there for His promises continue. As Paul writes:
"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He saith, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: hat we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:9-16)
Yes, each believer has a purpose in the Lord, a purpose that He placed in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb. Let's not forget that our reason for living is nestled in Christ Jesus the Lord, and that He is our all in all. And He never leaves us nor forsakes us.
Stand in the offering plate.
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