by Jerry Senn
One of the main reasons there’s so much doom and gloom in our world is “we don’t know who we are” as followers of Jesus. Our educational system teaches us we’re only advanced animals. We get here by accident and aren’t going anywhere when we die but to dust. It seems more and more supposed believers in Christ have adopted that same mentality. We catch the spirit of despair and negativism, unless we’re very careful.
It is true we all need to be aware we’re sinners (Romans 3:23) but we who are saved need to finish that sentence (24), “23For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus once talked about casting out demons from a house (Matthew 12:43–45). But, when the demons returned to the house, they found it empty, swept, and put in order.” As a result of the emptiness in the house demons returned. What should happen when sin has been expelled from our lives by the blood of Christ? Satan will fill our emptiness unless we’re constantly aware of who we are because of Jesus.
Jesus says, “you are family” (Matthew 12:49–50). He is saying “anytime I’m with fellow believers in Christ, I’m having a family reunion. These are my brothers and sisters and mothers.”
How could we not be uplifted in having such a relationship with Jesus? How could we not be filled with thanks after being dead in sin, but now alive to God—in His spiritual family?
Do we focus too much on what we left behind when we chose to follow Christ? Paul wrote, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).
Living with focus on the family reunion (in glory) is to live a hopeful, purposeful, peace filled and abundant life. Claim your place at the feast around God’s throne. Family life is amazingly positive and uplifting!