Bible Ballistics: BBs #426 Heir Apparent Or Bondservant???

 

When we come to Jesus and are born again “of God”, we become the children of God by the power of The Holy Spirit; but many today seem to be presuming upon God, being more concerned with living like an “Heir Apparent” to the throne, rather than as one who has been saved by the mercy and grace of God. While God has, does and will continue to call people to Himself by the good news of Jesus Christ and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin, it will never give us the right to usurp the power, position or place of God. We must come to Him in faith, recognizing that we are sinners doomed to hell, and Jesus has willingly, lovingly, paid our sin debt that we might have eternal life.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13 

God gives us “new” birth because we “were dead in trespasses and sins” (See Eph. 2:1-10), and that act of love and sacrifice should always cause us to be humbly grateful for God’s grace and love! It should never lead us to presume upon God, nor exalt ourselves, but to faithfully serve HIM in love and humility—never arrogance.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”   James 4:10

We become children of God—those who love and serve the One who gave Himself for us. Where did we get this mindset of arrogance that presumes on the goodness and mercy of God? Yes, we are His children, but we are to be loving, obedient children not spoiled brats—but then we see to be living in a culture of spoiled brats (pardon my bluntness). Everyone has an attitude set on demanding “MY rights” whether it’s right or not. God never expects us to pout, doubt and dropout, for He calls us to a life of grateful service and devotion to the One who gave Himself for us! In the same passage where Paul mentions our ‘right’ to call God our Father, He also talks about how we are to “suffer with him”—oops, you don’t hear much preaching and teaching about that anymore. Do you?

“For ye have not received the spirit

of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”    Romans 8:15-18

God’s glory is to “be revealed in us” not by our arrogant boasting or grabbing the glory for ourselves, but by our faithful service to our God. A faithfulness that often shines brightest in the face of unjust suffering! Surely we must be misreading this? No, we’re not! Jesus told us that when we choose to follow Him, we would generally receive the same treatment that He did! And ‘they’ loved Him ‘to death’—the death on the cross—all for you and me! What will you do with that attitude? I pray that we will take a moment today and ask God to help us join the Psalmist in praying for His spotlight of love to shine on our hearts, and reveal to us what is really there! For Jesus said that what is in the heart will come out of the mouth (and that means not only what we say but how we live—humbly or presumptuously). Here are a couple of passages for us to ponder today! May God work in you, and me that we might bring HIM glory today!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me in the way

everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

“Not that which goeth into the mouth

defileth a man;

but that which cometh out of the mouth,

this defileth a man…..

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:11,19-20

Remember, what’s inside will come out!!! What do you get if you squeeze a lemon? Whatever is inside, that’s what will come out!!! Amen and Amen!