THE AGES TO COME

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of
works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Devotion 10 of 17

TASTING THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME

As we come within the influence of the eternal realm, we "taste," or experience, its drawing power. In a remarkable view of regeneration, the Spirit refers to the influence of the heavenly realm on those who have tasted of the heavenly gift, and been made partakers of the Holy Spirit. The statement is worthy of our consideration.

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and HAVE TASTED the good word of God, and THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame" (Heb 6:4-5, RSV).

Lured by that blessed domain, we lose our affinity with, and appetite for, this present evil world world. While it is not subject to human analysis, there is a spiritual experience in which heavenly influences are realized--the "powers of the world to come." To reject that power and return to the weak and beggardly elements of the world is disastrous!

The "powers of the world to come" are a secret to forsaking everything for Christ. You cannot do that as a matter of law. It is the "love of Christ" that constrains us, and that is part of the drawing power of the "world to come." In this experience, the superiority of the eternal order is impressed upon our spirit. We also realize a unity with that realm that, though partial and in the process of being developed, is very real and delightful.

Expanding our horizon is not merely thinking large thoughts about this world. It is not envisioning a successful institution or a burgeoning local congregation. There is nothing particularly wrong about those things; they are just not large enough to satisfactorily engage the renewed heart and mind. At some point, the individual must be sensitive to "the world to come," prefer it, and engage in a hearty effort to be in unity with it.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I long to be with You, and to follow the Lamb without disruption or distraction. In Jesus name, I thank You for being able to taste of the powers of the world to come. I long for a greater taste.

-- TOMORROW: WHAT ABOUT FEEDING THE SHEEP? --