Who Do You Want Sup With?

The last post, we spoke about communion.  How it reminds us of the everlasting covenant we have with God because what Jesus Christ has done for us (Hebrews 12:24).  Through this covenant we can have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).  We do not just have salvation (eternal life in heaven) but as children of God we can accept the gifts, blessings, promises and miracles of God.  We can even bestow those blessings on others through prayer, word and action. 

 ^“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18

We can accept God’s authority over our life in faith- not the lies and deception of the devil. We can see in the NEW as HIS new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).         

And since we have crossed the line to have allegiance with God, we need to be more aware of the thief/Satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy.  Be aware of the cunning serpent who is sometimes very subtle with his suggestions, only for the unexpecting individual to find themselves in a swift current moving away from godly thoughts and actions. No matter how unpleasant this may sound we are in a war. Seduction and intimidation and manipulation are not off limits to Satan who unleashes these fiery of flaming arrows to see if he can swallow/devour and/or overwhelm us. He knows what buttons to try.  So be careful of what thoughts come to seed worry, anxiety, presumption, pride, lust, legalism, depression and so on... Careful of what might be trying to entice and influence your flesh.  Be careful of what is trying to divide.  Satan knows what happens to our assurance as a witness for God when we see ourselves guilty and lacking in the sight of God.  We become ineffective and those we could help spiritually fall asleep, become spiritually sick and even lose faith. Our tendency is to look inwardly to self in the midst of spiritual conflict but we are to look outwardly to God who quenches the evil tactics of the devil. We are to submit and humble ourselves before God and the evil will subside and cease and He will lift us up. (James 5:7). 

And if we do sin. Ask for forgiveness and turn away from sin.

"For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself.  That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way, but when we are judged and disciplined by the Lord, we will not be condemned with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:29-32 

We must be cognizant of WHO (God) or who (Satan) is trying to feed us spiritually? Is the spiritual food LIFE or is it death?

As I was thinking about all this and how it relates to communion and God’s covenant I was reminded of a section in Revelation. 

“I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.  I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.  Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:19-22

You see this church Jesus was speaking to had become lukewarm.  They had gotten used to and comfortable with sin and in so doing acted and behaved much like people lost in the sinful appetites of world. They had become “indifferent” and spiritually dull.  They were no longer living and dependent on the spiritual riches of God. They had disregarded their covenant with God for the temporary things of this world. Their spiritual tastebuds had forgotten what REAL food tasted like.  In fact Jesus says to them, “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  They had allowed themselves to be deceived. 

They were not eating from God’s LIFE giving covenant but death.  In love, Jesus rebukes them that they may turn from their foolish and blind ways.  That they may come to their senses and partake of covenant of the LORD who is LIFE not the false empty temporary things of this world that don't last or satisfy.   

And who doesn’t want the lasting and eternal things of God which are joy, peace, love, hope, mercy, grace, truth, faith…..

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21