GOD IS LIGHT

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5)

Devotion 19 of 22

THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING

" . . . the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . " (Eph 1:18, NKJV)

"The hope of His calling" has to do with WHY God has called us, and the destiny to which we have been appointed. The near-total failure of the modern churchman to understand this hope is a most tragic circumstance. It is a commentary on the paltry pulpit presentations throughout the land. Preaching that does not produce and nourish hope is unworthy of any attention.

The Gospel calls us TO something. The summons is not to a better life in this world, or to temporal riches and security. I realize it has become fashionable to hold such things before people, but such a message is a lot of nonsense. That may be the hope of some callings, but it is not the hope of God's calling. Our text is a prayer for believers to be enlightened concerning the objective of God's call.

This hope, or reason for which we have been called, can only be accomplished while we are in fellowship with Jesus Christ. That is why we have been "called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). The Gospel is very specific on this matter of our calling. "Whereunto He called you BY our gospel, TO THE OBTAINING OF THE GLORY of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 2:14). Again it is written, "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto UNTO HIS ETERNAL GLORY by Christ Jesus" (1 Thess 5:10).

The real thrust of new life in Christ Jesus is what we SHALL BE, not what we presently are. "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what WE SHALL BE, but we know that when He is revealed, WE SHALL BE like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). Appearing with Jesus "in glory" is the reason for which we have been called (Phil 3:20-21). Remove that hope, and life becomes burdensome.

This is "the hope of glory," springing from the possession of Christ within (Col 1:27). It is our appointed destiny which includes being "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29), and becoming "like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:1-3). It is the hope of being "always with the Lord" (1 Thess 4:17), dwelling in the house of the Lord forever, beholding His beauty and inquiring within His temple (Psa 27:4).

The "heavenly calling" that apprized us of the Lord's fervent desire to save us, summoned us away from, and out of the world order. In Christ, we are being oriented for glory; being made ready to judge the world and angels, and rule the "world to come" (1 Cor 6:1-2; Heb 2:5ff). We are being prepared to be given something that will belong to us, as compared with our present stewardship. Jesus once said, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?" (Lk 16:11-12, NASB).

The saints possessing the kingdom, reigning with Christ throughout endless ages, is on the Divine agenda. How poignantly the Spirit declares this marvelous reality. "But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever . . . and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom . . . And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him" (Dan 7:18,22,27; 2 Tim 2:12).

That is a large undertaking. If the saints do not have some grasp of it, it will not exert its power upon them! Only God can so illuminate the heart that is fully persuaded of the reality of these things. Once you are convinced of the reality of God's appointment for you, He will open the eyes of your understanding to see it more clearly.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I do not feel at home in this world. I thank You through Jesus Christ, that You have called me to a glorious destiny.

-- Tomorrow: THE RICHES OF HIS INHERITANCE --