WHERE WE HAVE COME

'For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NASB )

Devotion 1 of 13 INTRODUCTION

The habitation of God is characterized by unparalleled beauty. Of old time, this was called "Mount Zion," where divine activities were localized upon the earth. For Israel, that was Jerusalem, the city of the Great King. Those with insight treasured even the thoughts of this place. It was God-blessed, and the envy of all peoples. The forty-eighth Psalm expresses it well. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge" (Psa 48:1-3). While it is true, the Psalmist was exulting in the recollection of a blessed city, these words were also prophetic. They looked forward to the glorious reign of Christ, when God would make His abode among those "redeemed . . . from the hand of the enemy" (Psa 106:10). The most blessed place is found "in Christ." There we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" (Eph. 1:3). Being "justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1). With consciences purged, hearts made pure, and strength renewed, the saints can be confident that their situation is "beautiful," the envy of the whole earth. Their names are "written in heaven," God Himself is their Father, and Jesus Christ their elder Brother. Because of their situation, everything belongs to them (1 Cor 3:21). Having fled to Christ for refuge to "lay hold on the hope set before" them, they "rejoice with joy unspeakable cand full of glory" (Heb 6:18; 1 Pet 1:8). The tragedy of our time is the general ignorance of these things that pevails among professed believers. Multitudes are more familiar with news and athletic events of the day than with their standing in Christ Jesus. Satan has inundated us with distractions, calculated to pull us down into the quagmire of flesh and blood, which "cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 15:50). Those who teach and preach must be bold to counteract the aggression of the powers of darkness. This is best done by shining the light on the very things our adversary seeks to obscure. The perception on these things will charge the spirits of the redeemed, enabling them to be "steadfast in the faith," thereby resisting the devil (1 Pet 5:8-9). The discernment of our situation in Christ sheds light upon every facet of life. As it is written, "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Psa 36:9). By the same token, the obscurement of our situation casts a dark shadow over all of life. When we cannot see where we are in Christ, we really cannot see anything as it is. As our Lord said, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt 6:22-23). The purpose of this study is to delineate where we have come in Christ. Stated another way, it is where God has brought us. Still another way, it is perceiving where the Spirit has led us. This is the place our faith has brought us. It is the position in which God in His Sovereignty and Mercy has placed us. It is the location where the Holy Spirit has led us. And, it is the place where the Lord Jesus keeps us. This truth is involved in Jude's marvelous synopsis; "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ" (Jude 1). I personally like the language of the King James Version on this passage; "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called." However you may view our situation, Deity has made a great investment in us, providing a salvation that is undeniably "great." It cannot be to our advantage to be deficient in our understanding of our redemption. You will find the comprehension of where we have come is a key element in your spiritual progress. You will not make much advance toward something you cannot see! PRAYER POINT: Father, I joyfully acknowledge You have brought me where I am in Christ Jesus. I make no claim to anything but your matchless grace, and delight in doing so. In the name of Jesus Christ, show me more of this blessed environ where you have brought me!

-- TOMORROW: WHERE WE HAVE NOT COME --