The Renewed Life of a Rapturable Saint

21/08/2016 THE RENEWED LIFE OF A RAPTURABLE SAINT Colossians 3:1,2; 1:2,4,12,26; 1:4,27; 2:5-7,11; 2:20,12; 3:3,4

God calls Christians to a risen life of triumph over sin and works of the flesh. In the New Testament, the word ‘Christian’ is mentioned three times, and the word ‘saint’ is used about sixty times to refer to a person who is saved, redeemed, washed in the blood of the Lamb and transformed. Though he was born a sinner, he is now converted by Christ, connected with Christ, consecrated to Christ, crucified with Christ, and circumcised by the Lord Jesus Christ. The first step to becoming a saint in Christ is salvation. When a sinner confesses his sins, he is cleansed and receives the grace to walk in godliness. Thereafter, he proceeds to obtain sanctification as he consecrates himself to the Lord. At this point, the adamic nature, inward depravity or inbred sin is completely removed through circumcision of the heart. He then cleaves to the Lord without allowing anything or anyone to distract him on his way to heaven. The centrality of Christ in our Christian experiences cannot be overemphasized. Good works and involvement in religious activities are no substitutes for salvation. To be saved, we must exercise faith in Christ’s finished work at Calvary. As Christ abides in us and we remain steadfast in Him, we receive the grace to walk in godliness and live a life that constantly seeks higher spiritual attainments. Since Christ in us is our hope of glory, we must “walk in him”. This means that our lifestyles and practices at home, school or workplace must reflect the character and principle of Christ. Believers who live the risen life shine forth as light in a dark world.

“ Rooted and built up in [Christ]”, the believer lives without conforming to the principles of the world. “Dead with Christ”, “buried with him in baptism”, “and risen with him”, he experiences a total change that makes him averse to worldliness and things that contradict the Scripture. And because his “life is hid with Christ”, he is protected from the evil in the world. Though we begin the Christian race with grace – the grace that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts – we continue in godliness and shall ultimately end up in glory. And “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall [we] also appear with him in glory.”

1. THE DECLARED PURSUIT OF A RISEN SAINT

Colossians 3:1,2; Psalm 73:25,26; Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11:14-16 The pursuit and passion of saints who are totally set free from the bondage of sin is to live for God’s glory and finally make it to heaven. Because of their new nature in Christ, they deliberately “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Unfortunately, the hearts of many professing Christians are preoccupied with the mundane. Although they are religious and engaged in one activity or the other in the house of God, they set their affection and desire on things on the earth instead of things that have spiritual and eternal value. God calls everyone to self-examination. He wants us to consider our motive for serving Him and reorder our priority by setting “[our] affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Remember that believers who will meet Christ at the rapture are those who make God, salvation, righteousness and holiness the highest priority in their lives.

The risen saint desires God more than anything or anyone else on earth. He understands that with God as His possession, he has everything. He also knows that true satisfaction and sufficiency come from Christ, the Saviour. So, he does not allow anything to affect His love for God, consecration and worship. Since his goal is to please God, he is not caught in the web of rat race for money; he does not show any interest in the pleasures and comforts of the world.

Christ Himself emphasized the need for believers to seek “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added” to them. This was the principle that guided the saints of old in their walk with God; it was the desire of their hearts and centrality of their actions. Because they realized that their earthly possessions when compared to eternity will be insignificant, they “declare plainly that they seek a country… they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” To qualify to enter heaven, every sinner or backslider needs to repent, exercise faith in Christ’s atonement and constantly live with the consciousness that Christ may return at any time to take His people home.

2. THE DOUBLE PURGING IN A RENEWED SAINT: Colossians 3:5-10; Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 6:6,7; 2 Timothy 2:21,22; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 5:7 Every believer needs to purge himself and also allow the Lord to purge him. Although God purges His children, the believer has a responsibility to purge himself. He is commanded to “mortify therefore [his] members which are upon the earth….” To mortify is to crush, kill or destroy. As a new creature in Christ, the believer is expected to get rid of the works of the flesh which include fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, stealing, etc. The warning to get rid of “covetousness, which is idolatry” is necessary because anything a believer is obsessed with above God becomes an idol. It could be entertainment, fashion, marriage, money, pleasure, position, etc.

Having done our own part, we need to ask God to purge us. The Psalmist understood the need for inward purity and prayed for it. His plea to God was: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow”. Also, Isaiah, upon realizing his unworthiness, prayed that God should purge and make him holy. And after one of the seraphims touched his lips with a live coal in his hand, he was given the assurance that his “iniquity is taken away, and [his] sin purged.” Believers who want to remain pure do not take the grace of God for granted by exposing themselves to objects of temptation. Rather, they “flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” As we wait for the coming of the Lord, the Scripture enjoins us to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” In spite of the challenges and difficulties that confront us, the Lord expects us to preserve and perfect the holiness or sanctification experience we possess by avoiding carelessness and self-indulgence.

3. THE DECISIVE PRINCIPLE OF A RAPTURABLE SAINT: Colossians 3:17,23; Matthew 7:12; John 2:5; 15:13,14; 1 Corinthians 10:31; John 8:28,29; 12:49,50; 1 John 3:1-3 Whether in a religious or secular setting, people without principle live for others. Believers who fail to realize their new position in Christ live to please self and others. Without principle, we will lack the stamina to stand for Christ when it matters most. A prevailing principle makes us persevere even in moments of discouragement, trials and temptations. Therefore, the principle of every rapturable saint should be to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Since fornication, adultery, drunkenness, fraud, discord, pride, stealing, etc., do not glorify God, the true believer eschews them. At home, school or office, he does not derive pleasure from anything that is contrary to righteousness, holiness, transparency and the gospel. If we truly love Christ, the Saviour and Controller of our lives, we must obey His commandments unreservedly. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Christ is our perfect Example because He pleased the Father in all things. Therefore, to glorify God with our lives and qualify to meet Christ at the rapture, we must make sure we possess genuine and current salvation experience. The Lord is coming again for rapturable saints; anyone who desires to meet Him when He shall appear must purify “himself, even as he is pure.” GHS 166,170 & 48