Secure

January 6, 2016

Devotions:

      “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

        Many times we have a negative outlook on life and scriptures.  Here Paul says that judgement will come upon them that do not know God. John 17:3 says that eternal life that was imparted to us who believe on Jesus is to know God. Knowing God is not something that we initiate but God initiates.  We know God because of the new birth. 

        Then Paul says, "that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This can make our salvation look like it depends on our works, obedience. But really the second part is really a restatement of the first. Obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is acting in accordance with His finished work on the cross and resurrection.  It us not trying to save ourselves but looking exclusively to Jesus.  We obeyed the gospel when we believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose the third day. When we accept that Jesus died for our sins and declare that He is Lord we are born again. 

        We who have believed and are born again are privileged to walk in the glory of His power for eternity starting the moment you received Jesus' work on the cross.  You are no longer destined for judgement or punishment but for glory.  The world does not have another alternative that can even come close to what God offers right now.  Walking with Him is the ultimate privilege of the universe.  If you are a privileged person, and you are, then walk like a privileged person.  Stop living like a victim and start living like the victor which you are in Christ Jesus. 

        For those who do not receive what Jesus did then there is punishment of everlasting destruction and separation from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power.  No matter how good they seem because our salvation is not based on our actions.  Our actions should be based on our salvation.

        Mission Impossible: to get as many saved as possible while we are on this earth.  Nothing is impossible with the Lord.