Are You Backed By God?

Are You Backed By God?

Good Morning Friends,

Being a Christian means being different than all the rest of the eggs. We have been set apart for a purpose full of the Holy Spirit and blessed in ways that baffle the world. Embracing this mindset frees us to do amazing things even to answer today’s question in the affirmative. Are You Backed By God?

Scripture: The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.” Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3 (NRSV)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)

Message: The world may not see it this way but, you are blessed to be a Christian. That is not what the original term conveyed. It was meant as a derision. However, God has redeemed this identifier of the followers of Jesus. So, in today’s scripture we have the first public teachings of Jesus and passages about the first time followers of Christ were called Christians. The juxtaposition is most intriguing. For the qualities outlined in the Beatitudes, though not a rite of entry into the Christian church, are elements of being a follower of Jesus as surely as love, joy, peace, and the other fruits of the Spirit. If we lack these Beatitude graces in our lives, we must seriously examine our own hearts, and see whether we are truly building our lives on the rock of our salvation, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. The foundation is Jesus and the standard is better than gold. It is the ideals of life that we can attain in Christ. This is the very grace of God having our back. Thankfully all the Beatitudes belong to all of Christ’s people, not just to an elite few. These words are for the church of Jesus Christ, built upon the rock. These words are for the redeemed, for those who are salt and light. However, if we willingly accept the blessings, we must also embrace the responsibilities. Friends, the followers of Jesus are the poor in spirit, who mourn for their sins. We are to be the meek, who hunger and thirst after righteousness. We are to be merciful, and pure-hearted. Yes Christians, we are to be peaceful, yet persecuted. We are to possess the kingdom of heaven, and receive comfort. Friends, Christians are the true heirs of the earth, and shall be satisfied. Christians shall obtain mercy, and meet with God face to face. Christians shall be revealed as the true sons of God, and possessors of heaven itself. Indeed, if we are really Christians we will be sanctified in all these blessings. We will be backed up by God and approved for a holy purpose. We will rejoice in all things.

Pray we are blessed to be endowed with divine favor. Pray we are sanctified and deployed for a purpose glorifying God. Pray we realize that the Lord is faithful, and shall establish us, and keep us from evil. Pray we realize that only God is going to care more about us and our souls than we do. Pray therefor that we are merciful as God is merciful. Pray we are pure of heart, worthy of being called disciples of Christ. Pray we are peacemakers even in the face of persecution. Pray that even though we fail to keep all the morality found in the Beatitudes that God still has our backs.

Blessings,

John Lawson