View source for Now, here is the issue.

==Now, here is the issue==
<p>Our full grasp of the marvelous inheritance God has planned for us depends on the choices we are making every day. Paul spoke of taking hold of that for which Christ took hold of him. </p>
<p><em>Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12–NIV) </em></p>
<p>It appears from the above that our life and our role in the Kingdom are not just handed to us. We have to keep pressing forward. In the case of Paul, this is a remarkable statement, given the progress he already had made. </p>
<p><em>Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:11) </em></p>
<p>Compare Paul's attitude with that of today where believers are taught that once they "accept Christ" the next stop is Heaven! </p>
<p>So we have to keep pressing forward in Christ at all times. Why is this? It is because of the "rule of self." Our "self" has its own ideas of what we should be thinking, speaking, and acting and keeps seeking to exert itself in place of the rule of God. </p>
<p>We understand, therefore, that our Christian discipleship is a contest between the rule of self and the rule of God. </p>
<p>All of our waking moments this battle continues. The Book of Hebrews compares it with Israel entering Canaan. Our old self can be compared to the Canaanites. Canaan was their home for several generations. They were fighting for their very existence. </p>
<p>So it is with us. Our self-rule is our familiar way of existing. The idea of giving over to God the governing of our life may not appear possible, or practical, or necessary, or enjoyable. </p>
<p>But it is entirely possible, practical, necessary, and enjoyable if we will press into the exchange wholeheartedly and not cling to our idols. </p>
<p>We have to have faith and courage, and a strong desire to please God, if we are to submit to His will to this extent. </p>
<p>But there is no other way. When we do not give over our will to God we are nothing more than rebellious religious dust, even though we have received gifts from the Holy Spirit and have been a minister of the Gospel. </p>
<p>We are religious dust and of no use whatever in the new world of righteousness that is coming. </p>
<p>Why is this? It is because the Kingdom of God is God in Christ in the saints. It is not anointed man. John the Baptist was an anointed man. But Jesus told us he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John, and John was the equal of the greatest of the prophets. </p>
<p>John and the prophets were anointed flesh and blood. But, as Paul told us, flesh and blood cannot enter the Kingdom of God. </p>
<p>This is why we have to be born all over again. </p>
<p>Perhaps we need to get a fresh glimpse of Jesus Christ. Christ is the beginning and the end of everything. You and I are of no account unless we are part of Christ. It has pleased the Father that everything be wrought in Christ. </p>
<p><em>The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. </em></p>
<p><em>He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. </em></p>
<p><em>And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20–NIV) </em></p>
<p>If it is true that the Son is the image of the invisible God; </p>
<p>If it is true that Jesus Christ is the firstborn over all creation; </p>
<p>If it is true that in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him; </p>
<p>If it is true that He is before all things, and in him all things hold together; </p>
<p>If it is true that He is the head of the body, the church; </p>
<p>If it is true that He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy; </p>
<p>If it is true that God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Christ, and through Christ to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross; </p>
<p>If it is true that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all things, including you and me and our role in the Kingdom of God; </p>
<p>And if it is true that God's works have been finished from the beginning; then it appears to me that our business in life is to find our where we fit in the universal Christ. Can you agree with me on this? </p>
<p>As I have stated on several occasions, it is not difficult to become part of Christ and to flow with Him as He flows with the Father. We can rule ourselves, or we can flow with the thinking, speaking, and acting of the Godhead. </p>
<p>It seems kind of stupid to trust in our little dust pile when we could become part of the galactic Christ and share His Life and His inheritance. How do you feel about this? </p>
<p><em>A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. </em></p>
<p><em>The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (Isaiah 40:6-8--NIV) </em></p>
<p>That Word is CHRIST! </p>

[[Sermons WOR]]