Just a thought....
In the Old Testament, physical riches and status served as a mark to distinguish
God's people from all other peoples of the earth. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Job, David, Solomon - the list
is evident. These men possessed great land and livestock. They overcame and defeated strong rivals. As their
hearts sought after and obeyed God, physical wealth, blessing, and victory were poured upon them.
I want to contrast this to the New Testament and present-day disciple. So
many in the church are still looking for physical riches and status to somehow mark them as having the favor of God on their
lives. But is this God's 'mark' on His people under the new covenant in Jesus? What
distinguished the apostles and disciples of Christ? They were not wealthy.
They were not held in high esteem by much of society. Most were common men and women who suffered great loss and
persecution, and yet stood out like beacon to those who were looking. Why?
Jesus spoke to His disciples as He knew the hour was at hand for His death.
"It is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter
(Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but
if I go away, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration
to it about sin and about righteousness and about judgment." (John 16:7-8)
Although our Father often blesses us with success and plenty, this is no longer
to be the differentiating mark which sets us apart from the world. Through Christ, we are now vessels which can actually
house the very Spirit of the Living God. We can come into an intimate and close fellowship with our Lord, made possible
only under the new covenant. (II Cor. 3:6-12) Now our peculiar and unique identification is that
God's wisdom, power, and righteousness are manifested to, in, and through us. We no longer stand on the outside
of the Holy of Holies with a visible sign from the earth. We abide in Christ and He abides in us; we make
our home in Him, and He in us. (I John 3:24) We stand in the very presence of our God and are
marked with a divine seal.
All good things come from our Father above; I receive the rain in due season as
a blessing. But it is no longer what I use to measure the favor of God on my life. Instead, am I radiating forth His
fragrance and power? Can those around me see Him and hear Him through me? The world around us will be
convicted and convinced only by the demonstration of the Holy Spirit through us.
Amy
