Matt King
| Audio playback speed: |
Humanity is increasingly self-centered. Even Christianity promotes doctrines that demand God pursue us instead of the other way around, and relieve us of the burden of change; e.g. that the Kingdom of God already exists in our hearts, that we possess an immortal soul, and that we irrevocably possess salvation.
Conversely, the Bible clearly teaches that we must go to where God is.
Ancient Israel: God did not go to Egypt to dwell with the physical nation of Israel. He brought them out, demonstrating His power as He escorted them through wilderness and opposition to His Promised Land.
Spiritual Israel: Similarly, God directs spiritual Israel to the spiritual location He has prepared. Christ offered to abide with us, but only if we first are invited by God and willingly come out of sin. God doesn’t compromise. We can only abide in that dwelling prepared by the Father, on His terms.
New Jerusalem: Ultimately, we won’t just dwell in His house like guests, we will rather be pillars in it; that is, family members serving there as hosts. We are being shepherded out of this world to a place where God’s presence is.
We have two options: Give up our person and position and go to where God is, or chose our own path and invite God along later. Evening well-meaning pursuit of righteousness on our own terms is a self-deceit. However, God will not be an afterthought.
Do you make your own plans, and then ask God to bless them? Seek first the Kingdom of God. Go to the pasture He has prepared. Then your desires will be added unto you. Every matter we encounter in life should be diligently filtered through God’s word.
God is a banner, to which His people are to gather. The Father and Son demand to be first, central, and pre-eminent. We go to them, and they will dwell with us.
