Beware the world's embrace

Friends,

When world leaders embrace the men who claim to evangelists, prophets and apostles, we should immediately scrutinize those men closely. At no point in the life of Christ was he truly accepted by the worldly leaders of that time. In fact, it was just the opposite:

John 7:25-26 [NKJV]
Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?"

Likewise, we should not seek to be accepted into the ruling class of our time. Inevitably, we will have to go against what Christ demands of us in order to gain that acceptance. On the other hand, if we are truly seeking to follow Christ, we should expect to be marginalized as radicals and fools, especially by the ones who are in charge.

Are you a radical follower of Jesus?
Would anyone be able to tell?

As we grow and are transformed into the image of Jesus, we will be confronted and challenged by the world's systems. And we will be storing up eternal treasures. It will not be easy, and will get harder and harder as Christ's return approaches. But the rewards are eternal and without limit.

Be encouraged, Jose

Looking like our Father

Friends,

It happens to me fairly often. I will meet someone at a business event, and almost immediately they ask if I am related to my older brother. There is something striking about seeing brothers and sisters. The family resemblance is readily apparent to even the most casual observer.

So the question today is whether we resemble our Brother in some way. Do we look like our Father?

Romans 8:29 [NKJV]
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Do we bear His image?
Can anyone tell that we are brethren with our Lord and Savior and Master?
Do our neighbors see our Father when they see us?
Is there a family resemblance?

Pray that the Lord will examine your thoughts, words and actions today. Pray that He will direct your steps in the way of Christ so that we will be conformed to His image.

Be encouraged, Jose

To be in His image

Friends,

Here in the United States, we have set aside this day - the last Monday in May - to recall and honor those who gave their lives for the great privileges we enjoy as citizens. On a daily basis, we honor their actions by exercising responsible citizenship.

Of course, Christ Jesus paid the ultimate price. Not only did He die, but He took on the full and unrestrained wrath of Almighty God. It was so steep a price that the Father enveloped the earth in darkness lest our frail eyes be forever scarred by the sight. Remembering these events helps to put into perspective the unimaginable value of the gift Christ has given to every believer.

Knowing that He has given us such a gift, what are we to do with it?

2 Peter 3:17-18
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [NKJV, emphasis added]

Among the most important traits of Jesus' gift to His people is the knowledge of Him. That knowledge is pathway to deep intimacy with Christ Jesus. As His bride, we must pursue intimacy with Jesus, our bridegroom, at every opportunity. It is the key to our becoming fully restored into the image of our God and Father.

Be encouraged, Jose

The goal during affliction

Friends,

In this world, we are sure to encounter great affliction. We will be persecuted for our faith. We will endure suffering because we will not accept the "shortcuts" of this world. We will be targeted for attack because we will tolerate sin.

1 Peter 2:20b-21
But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. [NKJV]

We can read about what Christ endured in obedience to the Father. There may even come a time when we will experience a tiny bit of that same suffering.

But remember, sisters and brothers, that when we do, we are finally fulfilling what we are meant to be ... the very image and likeness of Christ our King.

Be encouraged, Jose