Surety

Have you ever felt like God was tangibly around you? Like if you were to reach out and grasp the air something invisible would be there to grip your hand back? Or what about knowing for certain the purpose for your being was to do a certain thing? Like if the calling or essence or epitome of your life was to _________. Have you ever felt either of those feelings, rather knowings?

I know these are big abstractions about the Christian life; one’s calling and feeling the closeness of God. I know many folks don’t “feel” God move or even think to terribly much about him, and that when they do think of him it’s a him who looks more like them than Him.

But truth has always moved through the ages. There have always been those who take up the banner of divine revelation and say with their blood, sweat and very lives,“Let good and kindred go, this mortal life also, the body they may kill, but God’s truth abides still!” That death meant life and life meant Christ; that hope shattered chains and set prisoners free; that grace burned through hatred and love prevailed in darkness.

There are those in this time, in this generation who stand strong rooted in the Scriptures that God’s truth still lives, breathes and will fell the deviations of the devil. Yes, they will loose their friends and their family. Yes, they will walk away from all to follow the call. Yes, they will feel the tangible nature of the Almighty and the hold of the Comforter and the embrace of nail scared hands. Yes, they will walk as sheep among wolves. Yes, they will shut the mouths of lions and put foreign armies to flight and be sawn in two and live destitute of whom the world is not worthy. And yes, yes, it will be worth it all.

It will be worth it all to hear the saints and angels sing, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God almighty who was and is and is to come.” It will be worth it to hear the proclamation over all eternity, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Yet, we must stand firm and be watchful and believe with all of every breath of God-gifted life the gospel of Jesus, that he has become our sin and we have become, by divine decree, his prefect righteousness. Indeed we are the recipients of grace upon grace upon grace.

But beware for, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matt 7:21-23)

Be sure of your belief. Be more than sure of the gospel. And be absolutely sure that Jesus is your God-give hope, that Jesus is your Surety.