No culture has worked harder at providing safety and security than modern western culture. From our huge life insurance industries to pension plans to universal health systems to our innumerable government safety regulations, the attempt by industry and government has been to make us secure; and make us feel secure.
Of course no company or government can help you in providing security from death or the death of an intimate personal relationship.
It is no news to observe that all of us have experienced or watched someone we love experience the pain of fractured relationships. No matter how common, it is still heart wrenching to learn that another person who promised a secure relationship has broken their promise and betrayed the relationship.
I am a fortunate men. Jan made a covenant with me a few decades ago and has never even hinted that she might back out or break this covenant of marriage. Grounded in this kind of love and commitment it has been easy for me to live with a wonderful sense of security and assurance. But even more important is the fact that at an early age I learned that God had made a covenant commitment to me that provides an amazing sense of security and assurance.
King David's ancient "last words" reflect that He knew how secure he was in relationship with God. At one point he says "Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant arranged and secured in every part?" II Samuel 23:5 NIV Or as the NLB has it "arranged and guaranteed in every detail". David feels very secure with God, even in old age when death is looming and doubt might creep in; because He trusts God's promise, His covenant.
We who are Christ followers should live today and every day with a joyful confidence as strong as David's assurance. There are multiple NT statements and promises that encourage us to live with this comfort of security. For example: "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal. the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:13, 14
Notice all the "secure" words. "seal, deposit, guaranteeing, possession". You may have a history of one or several badly fractured relationships. Yet, today you can rest secure and live for Jesus with confidence. You are in a loving, forever relationship with Him.
I love that Ephesians passage that speaks of being maked in him with a 'seal'... sort of like an engagement ring... that communicates someone has made a claim on the life of another - therefore keep your hands off... it is deposit - meaning there is full payment to follow - a wedding ring... Christ's return and a marriage banquet to boot!!
ReplyDeleteWho shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
ReplyDeleteOften quoted to justify sin!!
The question should be "can willful sin separate us from the love of Christ?"
1 Cor 10, Hebrew 6 and 10, 1 Cor 3
Many love the comfortable formula. Justification of sin while fullfilling the desires of the flesh. "After all, we are only just human." "Once saved, always saved!" The doctrine of demons sent to deceive??
We are not just human. We are now the temple of God and Christ Jesus lives in them who believe. He who defiles this temple, God will destroy him.
"Yes, but I will be still be saved as through flames."
Is this security??? I think not.
God have mercy and continue to grant repentance to all who truly believe in fear and trembling.
Take heed lest ye fall. A message sorely needed to the Laodicean Church of which I am a member, but I thank my God that I'm starting to see.
Keith