WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 23 of 37

CALLED INTO INVOLVEMENT

To some, being "saved" is a process involving the erasure of sin, and receiving a sort of inoculation that makes one impervious to condemnation. It is like being placed in a protective steel cage, securely welded shut until the day of the Lord. At that time, the cage will be opened, and the individual will enter into the bliss of heaven. All of this is presented as though it had little or nothing to do with the character of the individual, without very little personal involvement. The saved person is thus seen as one upon whom God has worked with little regard to the involvement of the one being saved.

This, or anything remotely like it, is not an accurate representation of the salvation of God. It differs nothing from the redemption of the impersonal creation, which will be delivered from the "bondage of corruption" when the sons of God are made known (Rom 8:19-21). Salvation involves infinitely more than being delivered from being shut up by Satan to being locked in by God. God does not merely desire for men to have a different location. He is looking for their fellowship, co-partnery, and willing participation in His good and acceptable, and perfect will. The salvation of those created in the image of God takes that imagery into consideration.

Israel was delivered by God out of Egypt. The deliverance purely belonged to God. He brought them out with a "high hand" and a "mighty hand" (Ex 14:8; Ex 32:11). Of their deliverance, God said "I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself" (Ex 19:4). Even Jethro, Moses' father-in-law knew the Lord delivered Israel "out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh" (Ex 18:10). They did not do it themselves, God did it.

The Israelites were certainly not delivered by works. 430 years of hard bondage had not liberated a single one of them. However, if you were to be granted an interview with one or those delivered Israelites, he would tell you that they were involved in their deliverance in a most profound way. At a specified time, each household was to set aside a lamb. It has to be a male, of the first year, and without a blemish. After fourteen days, the lamb was to be killed in the evening. The blood of that lamb was to be placed on the two side posts of the door of each house, and on the top of the door frame. That night, each household was to eat the lamb whose blood marked their house. They had to roast the lamb with fire, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They could not eat it raw or boiled with water. It also had to be roasted with the head and legs still attached. Nothing of it was to be left. As they ate the lamb, they had to have their cloak tucked under their belt, their sandals on their feet, and their staff in their hand. It also had to be eaten quickly. At the midnight hour, they were to leave Egypt with their families, their flocks and their herds. The women were to take their kneading troughs bound in cloths and carry them upon their shoulders. They also had to carry a mass of treasure given to them by the Egyptians, moved of God to give the Israelites their wealth (ex 12).

Now, all of this was called a Divine deliverance. God carried them out on eagles wings, and delivered them with a high and mighty hand. But do not think for one moment this meant the Israelites were passive. Their deliverance required their personal involvement.

The same principles are prominent in the great salvation we receive in Christ Jesus. We ourselves are integrally involved in the process. What is even more, we are called into intense participation. Our salvation is anything but passive. One of the texts that vividly portrays this First Corinthians 1:9. Here the objective of salvation is declared, and the means through which it is realized. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." Just as Israel was called out of Egypt in order to occupy Canaan, so we have been called out of death in trespasses and sins to fellowship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord.

"Fellowship" involves communion, participation, and mutual activity. It is typified in the Lord's table, where we commune with both the body and blood of the Lord, participating in their power and benefits (1 Cor 10:16). From Jesus' standpoint, He "manifests," or makes Himself known to us in this fellowship (John 14:21). From our view, we "hear His voice," being sustained by His words and responding to them in faith. Fellowship with Jesus involves eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:53). The individual thus ingests Christ spiritually, participating in the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), or becoming a "partaker of Christ" (Heb 3:14).

This is not an unconscious fellowship, as though such a thing even existed. It is one in which we actually become a "worker together with God" (1 Cor 3:9). Jesus teaches His people, showing them how to discard the unacceptable remnants of their old nature, and put on the Divine qualities belonging to them in Him (Eph 4:20-24). Fellowship with Christ involves abiding in Him and bearing fruit to the glory of God (John 15:4-8).

Fellowship with Christ is a two-way matter. Where both parties are not involved, there is no fellowship. In fact, this is one of the key differences between alienation from God and reconciliation to God. It involves the saved being "crucified with Christ," and Christ living out His life in the individual (Gal 2:20). There is an appropriation of "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16), and involvement in "the work of Christ" (Phil 2:30).

There is no salvation apart from fellowship with Christ, for that is what God has called us to. Do not imagine that fellowship with Jesus is automatic, requiring no effort on your part. It would be just as reasonable to think of the Israelites deliverance being accomplished by them remaining idle, as for you to saved apart from "fellowship" with the Son of God.

The question that must be pondered by each person is whether or not you ARE in fellowship with the Son of God. Fellowship is not accomplished at a point of time–once for all, so to speak. It commences when we come into Christ, but it must continue. This fellowship requires your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is a vital link between the present time, and the time to come. Are you in fellowship with Christ? Are you listening to Him that is speaking from heaven (Heb 12:25), and being taught by Him "the truth as it is in Christ" (Eph 4:21)? That is what God has called you to.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus for a salvation that provides for fellowship, expression, and involvement with You and Your purpose. I am asking for strength and wisdom to be a good steward of Your grace, and a source of joy to Your heart.

-- Tomorrow: DOES GOD OVERPOWER MEN? --