Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Over and Over, time and again the Apostle Paul in his epistles talks about the life that we are to live in Christ. Romans 8 is all about the flesh versus the Spirit, and the victory we have over the flesh by the Spirit. Paul was extremely concerned and very aware of the fact, that we can lose our inheritance. We cannot be lose our salvation, but the question is what will be in heaven for us when we get there? Matthew 6:19-21 is all about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, it is summed up best in the verse 21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." This life is an event, we all are participants and there will be eternal ramifications whether for better or worse. Just as Paul says here we must hold our body, our flesh under submission; and the only way we are able to do this is by the Spirit. We can do so much for the Lord, but what good is it in the end if we are living in the flesh, and there is no visible difference between us and the lost.
As Christians we are not spared judgement. We are spared wrath, but we will all stand before the Bema seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad." We will be judged on that which we have done for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 "According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." Here again we see Paul hammering away that we cannot lose our salvation, but we will be judged, and our inheritance tested with fire.
Our Longing should be for Christ, for our King. This is all written within us and as Christians we know how we are to live. If we truly take up the life that we are called to, how many more will be saved? How many more people would not have to stand before Christ in damnation, or suffer through the Tribulation. We do not know when Christ is coming, but many many of us feel that it is getting close. I do not think that we truly grasp the days that are ahead. During the Holocaust 1 in 3 Jews were killed. Zechariah 13:8 tells us that during the time of Jacob's trouble 2 out of 3 will be killed. We are to be burning fires for Christ. I plead with you, that we all examine ourselves using the Scriptures. We must find out where we stand within the ranks of the Ecclesia. We all have a calling, we all have a mission field. Find out what your calling is. God has placed you where you are for such a time as this. To be His personal representative to those that you come in contact with. Do not let another day pass, that you do not speak Christ into others lives. If you take the plunge and step out in faith the Spirit will move and you will be amazed at what the Spirit speaks through you, and how easy it is to witness.
Christ must be our first love. If He is then pursuing the very commission He gave us is a joyous thing. If not, we will find it tedious. Take hold of that which has already been given us in victory. Do not yourself to be nullified, but found worthy of that which we are called to by our Coming King Jesus Christ.
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