Colossians 2:9-10(NLT) says, “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” For the sake of knowing our identity in Christ and being confident in it, these are truly extraordinary verses of scripture. There are no shortcomings, flaws, weaknesses, or failings in Christ. He is perfection through and through. He is the living Word of God, and when he walked this earth, he masterfully demonstrated God in human form. Through our new birth reality, Christ is in us. We have his Spirit, and Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” This cements the reality that the Kingdom of God is in us! We can be sure that what’s going on in our hearts and minds at any time can either bring us close to God or take us further away from His peace and blessings.
In Luke 21:29-38, Jesus Christ teaches about his second coming. We’re hearing many Christian teachers, preachers, prophets and leaders talk about this more than ever, and it’s evident from everything happening that spiritual warfare is heating up. You and I don’t have to speculate about how to respond to this reality, because Jesus Christ has already given us direction in God’s Word. None of us know the day or the hour, but Jesus has given us markers. He told us that just as there are a chain of sequences in nature that alert us to changes in weather, seasons, and other occurrences, so too will be the chain of sequences that will alert us to the return of Christ.
When the iniquity of the world is beyond that which can be covered by God’s grace; when confusion, wars, and chaos are rampant, and when the corruption of institutions that people have depended on is so bad that these institutions and systems simply fall apart, it’s a sign to us that an uncommon change is upon us. Could it be that the return of Christ is near? It could be, but his commandment to us is to be on guard. Whether it is tomorrow, next year, or fifty years from now, Jesus Christ has commanded us to stay alert and be prepared for his return whenever it takes place.
1Thessalonians 5:6(NLT) warns, “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.” The defining characteristic of a believer is that we are always in a state of readiness for the return of our Savior. We know not the day or hour, but whenever it is, we are ready; this must be our posture. Now is not the time to be distracted by what is happening around us. This would be a sure sign that we are not as alert as we have been commanded to be.
In Romans 8:6-8, God tells us that when our minds and hearts are concentrating on things that have nothing to do with His Kingdom, it means that we are still under the control of those things. This is why a mind and heart that is focused on sin and flesh cannot please God. Worldly things belong to the world, and the spiritual things of God belong to Him. We choose which one we’re going to follow. If we follow the world, there is separation from the things of God—things like His safety, protection, blessings, and all the other good things that Heavenly Father gives. In Psalm 91:1, He tells us that when we stay close to Him, we will find peace under His covering. He doesn’t separate us from His blessings; He delights in giving them to us. We separate ourselves from His goodness when our thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and deeds run in the opposite direction.
Romans 8:9 reminds us that God’s children of light are not controlled by the things of this world. We are controlled by His Spirit if we have the Spirit of God living in us. Those who do not have the Spirit of God living in them do not belong to Him, and we shouldn’t want to be in that group.
We are approaching a time in our walk in Christ where it is not going to be good enough to wait for a person to tell us what to do. The Kingdom of God is inside our inner being. God has been extremely gracious and patient with us. He’s given us great people of faith to instruct us. They were charged with the responsibility of equipping the saints, but wisdom should alert us to the reality that at some point the equipping phase will end for the spiritually mature.
When one phase ends, another begins. We must be prepared to stand, armed with a faith that equals those that have equipped us. Jesus Christ said in John 14:12(NLT), “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” Our Master set the precedent here. This is a pattern for spiritual progression. When the Teacher has masterfully taught the student, the student must move to then master that which they have been taught.
We’ve entered a new phase of spiritual maturity, and the times are forcing us to release that which has passed, because it will not come again. The season upon us is one that calls for spiritual growth and maturity. We must demonstrate our faith in God and see the results of our prayers for our families and communities. Our government has been a mirror for the spiritual condition of the people of God. We are very good at blaming institutions but not so good at accepting responsibility for not following through on the mission and mandate we have received from God. Collectively, we can do better. Let’s join together in prayer! Let’s pray for the mercy and grace of God to cover us as we move forward and let us be committed to seek Heavenly Father with a newfound zeal. More than ever before, this world desperately needs to see the power of God’s people, and they need to see what God will do as His people stand together in prayer through this next challenging but rewarding phase.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“When One Phase Ends, Another Begins!” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! Sundie Morning Sistas is dedicated to spiritual inspiration and encouragement through the Word of God.