emery@tc.fluke.COM (John Emery) (05/03/91)
For those of you who believe in the name of the Lord Jesus, It is written: "When Christ, who is your life, appears, you also will appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4) Tell me, is this for some believers or all believers? I would say for all believers, for it is stated as fact! Please let me encourage you, it is a fact. Notice it doesn't say that those who do the works of the law will appear with Him in glory or those who attain moral authority or those who are pastors and evangelists or those who have conquered all the temptations of the flesh. Look at the verse preceeding: "For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." (vs 3) There is only ONE life that is worthy of eternal life, and that is Jesus Christ. Yet for those who have given themselves to belong to Jesus, it says that your life is no longer seen. As far as God is concerned, you died, and the life you now live, He sees as the life as His Son Jesus. That's why you WILL appear with your Lord and Savior in glory, because your life is hidden in Him. It is a fact! Let your heart be refreshed and your confidence renewed. Jesus has shared His life with those who believe on Him. What glorious freedom! God has accepted His children freely. Yes, even though you sin, even though you have not yet attained perfection, you will still appear with Him in glory. As you depend totally on the life of Jesus and acknowledge your own life as insufficient, your heart will be free to love! As a result of this freedom do the following: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated and the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2) Let us give thanks to our God continually through Jesus, through whom we have access to this marvelous gift. John Emery emery@tc.fluke.COM