MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
May 8, 2024
The Law of God and the Cross of Christ Series – Part 10
THE ‘SEVENTH’ WAY OF ESCAPE: YOUR HOLY CALLING AND SACRED STATUS
By nature, man acts out what or who he thinks he is; or what others think and say he is to them, which underwrites performative actions and deeds. Now if the mind and heart are yet “carnal,” though the person professes and “has the form of godliness,” the corresponding “works of the flesh (Gal. 5: 19-21) will reveal the real person.
Often, it is in unforeseen crises, emergency situation, a fiery trial, or fierce temptation that both of either hidden or unknown moral character defects, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities are brought to light.
By the same metrics, yet on the opposite end, it is also by the expert witness of the nine “fruits of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22, 23), that an unpretentious genuine follower of Christ is revealed. Indeed, as Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” But it takes time, patience, and dedicated effort to nurture it to maturity before it finally bears its fruits. Trees are a symbol of man in the Bible.
Even if one has fully committed his life and dedicated all his means to following Christ and the cause of the “present, testing truths” for these last days, he is never beyond temptation! Hence Paul warned, “Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10: 12).
Let all who have already accepted Christ and “patiently keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12), constantly bear the following in mind and safeguard its high, noble, and sacred distinction and honor by not yielding to any and all temptations by grace and gallant resistance. (All emphasis and bracketed words mine):
“But ye are CHOSEN generation, a ROYAL priesthood, a HOLY nation, a PECULIAR people; that ye should show for the praises of Him who has CALLED you out of darkness [of ignorance, sin, worldliness, carnality] into His MARVELOUS LIGHT.” 1 Pet. 2: 9, A.V. Remember: You are much more than any and all classes of earthly royalty and monarchy. If you are truly “dead to sin and alive in Christ,” then you are in fact and truth, Chosen, Royal, Holy, and Peculiar—according to the infallible, omniscient, and omnipotent Word of God, not the fallible, finite wisdom of fallen, sinful mortals!
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all NMF.