Have you ever found yourself lost, lacking the direction and perspective to know which way to proceed? Then a friendly soul at a gas station, or a map found buried in the glove compartment rescues you from despair. The feeling of disorientation is very strange when one’s bearings are adrift. Even in our day of in-dash GPS systems, and personal Smartphone’s, that can give us door-to-door directions when traveling, these techno-gadgets can’t help us with everything. When it comes to spiritual life, forgiveness of sin, reconciliation and accountability to God, there are no “apps” for that on iTunes. The new operating system that we all need is called “grace” and it is available for free download from Jesus, it installs easily into every soul with faith software technology, via the Holy Spirit wireless network.
Grace truly does change everything: our relationship to God both now and into eternity, and our interactions with other people. When we receive the gift of God into our lives, Jesus described being born again. This is a restart in everything; the renewing of the way we think, values, goals and priorities are less self-centric and more aligned with the thoughts of God. The new life is birthed of the Holy Spirit of God, and not conjured by religious zeal. And as the cup of one’s life gets filled past the rim, we overflow his grace into other people’s lives. It is no wonder Jesus’ talked the way he did about his return.
In Matthew 25, Jesus was teaching some principles about his return to Earth in power and authority, fulfillment of promises, and judgment of the nations. In his discourse, he gave six practical criteria that clearly exposed some as banded with the purposes of Christ and others as not. The list of lifestyle choices included food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, clothes for the needy, welcoming strangers, caring for the sick, and visiting prisoners. In each of these cases, Jesus positions himself in the role of the recipient: “When you did it to the least of these, you did it unto me.”
It is intriguing how quickly Jesus can slice through the fog and bring clarity out of confusion. The one who receives the grace of God in salvation will manifest it by sharing that love with others. To follow Jesus is simple and profound – even a child can be a teacher by way of setting an example. And love remains the key – it originates in the heart of God, and flows to and through his people. Indeed, in order to experience and deliver his compassion and message, we must be born again.
If Christianity has become reduced for you into some creed, organization or political force, then let the words of Jesus reignite for you what this is really about. Life transformation in Christ resets one’s coordinates, trajectory, and offers turn-by-turn directions. The Bible is clear that Jesus is coming back, and that day will come as a shock to some. But for everyone who lives expecting that any day one could see him face-to-face, this life will become more fruitful and they will not be in regret when Jesus divides between those that are his, and those that aren’t.