Saturday, April 27, 2013

OUR GREAT COMMISSION OF JOY

Every Christian has a "great commission" which the Lord placed upon us while still in the womb, when He called us His own. Too often, we think the great commission belongs only to the church body as a whole, and so ignore our individual commission. That doesn't change things - we have a purpose in this world, and that is to battle the things of darkness, while showing the light of the Kingdom to those who dwell in the darkness.

We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ to the broken, lost and sick remnant. As ambassadors we must know everything we can about our own Kingdom, and prepare ourselves about the kingdom to which we have been assigned. That means being ready!

Being ready with oil in the lamps, the wicks trimmed and ready to respond to the calling of the bridegroom. We must not be slothful, making excuses for not being ready, because when we hesitate the moment is lost. We are supposed to be bold and strong, but how can we be, if we have not nourished our spirits, and strengthened our spirit muscles in preparation for the battle? How can we battle our way across the battlefield to bring the remnant home if we have missed the training program?  We can't. And we will fall prey to fiery darts and stinging missiles of the enemy if we let pesky things of every day life get between us and our mission for Jesus Christ.

We must be girded for battle.  Not just by power and might, but by the Spirit of the Lord. For the Spirit of the Lord will lead us into the battle, blessing us going in and coming out! And what is the Spirit of the Lord?  A guide. A mentor. A leader. A teacher. Always reflecting the love and compassion, the hope and the salvation of Jesus Christ.
In the Lord's presence there is fullness of joy. There is hope for all eternity. There is peace for what we must accomplish today. And if we will say "Yes, Lord", then the Holy Spirit will spring into action and lead us.  If we will say "Thank you, Lord for what You have done". the Holy Spirit will bring us comfort, peace and joy. 

PSALM 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

He feeds us at His banqueting table, so we are strengthened and filled with the knowledge of good; so that we may recognize (without hesitation) that which is evil.  We must bring the broken and hopeless to this banqueting table; we must sit them at the head of the table, and wash their feet. This is what Jesus would have done. We can do no less. In so doing, we shine the light of the Lord upon their dark and fearful path, and show them the way home.

ISAIAH 25:6 And in this mountain The Lord of hosts will make for all people A feast of choice pieces, A feast of wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees.

Jesus taught us that He is the way, the truth, the light, and that no man comes to the Father in heaven [claims his place in God's Kingdom] except through Jesus Christ. As ambassadors, our great commission is to introduce them to Jesus Christ, and offer them opportunity to join the feast. We must do it as Jesus would do it, with love and joy! It is, after our calling, our great commission... to bring the joy of the Lord's salvation to a starving people.

ISAIAH 29:19  The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.

ISAIAH 35:10  And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

ISAIAH 52:9  Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.

In Your presence, O Lord there is fullness of joy, and at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore... 

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