Believe-Obey-Reflect!

This is the phrase that I have decided best describes the nature of a believer who is truly "shining" for Christ! Because of that I have adopted it as the slogan on the materials I will use to promote the gospel. The second birth has become a hot topic in my conversations as of late. It has come up several times in conversation, many not quite understanding that it is God who has given us our physical birth which in turn automatically qualifies us to be eligible for His second birth. No it's not a contest, it is simply a love invitation from God Himself.

How many believers have you come in contact with lately that have no clue about a Godly design that has been laid out every man, woman, an child? What about you? Have you thought much about the topic "Created Purpose?" It is simply God's design for your life. He as the Great Architect of the universe, through Christ, entered into the realm of humanity and touched our lives. He became "like us, the He might represent us." His birth was also His sign to the world that mankind was the joy of His life, Prov 8. Having designed the universe and the worlds therein, He now desires to design our lives.

Many do not talk much about future things yet the Scripture tells us that one day we will rule and reign with Him as a Kings and Priests, Rev. 1:6. "καὶ ἐποίησεν ἡμᾶς βασιλείαν, ἱερεῖς τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ, αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας• ἀμήν.

Literally, we are a "Kingdom" of priests unto God. If that is so, one must wonder who will we be ministering to at a future time? More importantly, who are we ministering to in the present? You see John is stating that have been made to be a "Kingdom of Priests" unto God. We often do not dwell much on that topic. It seems that our lives are simply filled with the daily activities of meeting the needs of ourselves and our families. But in Gods design of life, Christians are to be ministers, priests, servants, of God and our fellow man. This type of service or role can only be lived out if we are "Believing-Obeying- and Reflecting" the presence of Christ in our lives. 1 Cor. 5:17 tells us we are a "New Creation in Christ!" In every place we go we should be radiating the essence of God. Put another way Paul stated,

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing," 2 Cor.14-15.

In the passage Paul was on a quest to find Titus his faithful brother in the Lord. He was stirred in the spirit because he was not able to find him in Troas. So he left there and went to Macedonia. It is there that the praise to God and a flow of peace filled his heart. In the end, he was able to do so because he followed the fragrance in the air, for upon arriving in Macedonia He found Titus and was refreshed, 2 Cor. 7:6. Wouldn't it be nice if that could be said of Us? Literally, all Paul needed to do was follow the bread-crumb-trail of the scent of Christ. For, everywhere Titus went the fragrance of Christ was in the air, literally in the speech of those who had been touched by his life and teaching he could be found. I wonder... are we leaving a bread-crumb-trail that diffuses the knowledge of Jesus?

That is the point of this post. We are designed to be a "Kingdom of Priests" ministering now and for the future when the Lord returns with the saints in glory, Zech. 14:4-5; Jude 14. If we read the lives of the great men and women of faith (the saints) we will see that in each life the second birth was lived out according to the slogan, if you will, "Believe-Obey-Reflect" for they all radiated the presence of God. They had no choice....they were true Christians.

What about you? Have you given God's design for your life a second thought? Have you reflected upon why He saved you? Why He gave you a new life? Have you thought about what it really means?

Believing, obeying, and reflecting the life of Christ is what the we are to be about. Anything less, is wood, hay, and stubble..it all will burn up in the fire, i.e. , the "Judgment of Believers Works."

1Cor. 3:11-13,

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

Are you ready to submit to Christ? It is not an all out immediate change that you must make, but simply begins with a meaningful prayer that goes something like this:

Lord, I am ready to be what you have designed and created me to be. On my own, I could never live as you desire. Please lead me into what your will is and reveal to me your plan. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see when you you are speaking to me. Then, give me the will to obey. I will trust you for the outcome. Now Lord, help me to be patient as I await your direction. Through Jesus, and because of Him I thank you for opening my eyes and giving me the ability to pray this. Amen!

May God bless you this glorious Lords day!

Bro. Mike

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