Where Our Name Is Written
The devil is real.
Satan exists.
The serpent who deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden remains today, thousands of years later.
The world is Lucifer’s playground, and if we are not careful, we can quickly become his playmates.
Absurd, we say. There is NO WAY we would EVER give Satan the time of day, but at this statement, we must ask ourselves a few serious questions:
Did we sin yesterday?
Did we allow wayward ungodly thoughts to enter our minds, thoughts that we did not banish but instead focused upon for a time?
Did we have any hard-hearted reactions yesterday?
Did we hold onto or entertain any moments of jealousy, anger, or lust yesterday?
The child of God is called to be holy, just as the Father is holy. Pretty simple calling, but oftentimes, the walk from here to there, within the calling can be quite difficult for one single reason: The Bible tells us we were born in iniquity, and we will struggle with sin until the day God brings His children home to paradise.
So, we must be on-guard.
So, we must constantly be on the lookout for the lies of the devil, the father of lies.
So, we must forevermore resist Satan.
So, we must not play within Lucifer’s tricks.
So, we must ALWAYS KEEP OUR EYES, OUR FOCUS, OUR BODIES—ATTUNED TO OUR FATHER GOD!
“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 11: 2-3 NASB)
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
Truthfully, it brings peace to know God is jealous of our affection, and it brings tranquility to our being to know we are married to Jesus in Spirit and Truth. As the Bride of Christ, we must remain pure.
Enter the serpent.
Enter the devil.
Enter Satan.
Enter Lucifer.
Enter the one who is bound for hell at the end of time. &
Enter the one who wants to take as many with him as possible.
However, we are promised something better, because we believe in, because we accept, and because we confess our sins against Holy God.
It is Jesus Himself who reminds us of God’s Promise.
May we read together, and may we hold onto God’s Promise, as we are seeking to keep our lives pure, and as we strive to walk in God’s holiness.
“One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
(Luke 23: 39-43 NASB)
But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
And he was saying, “Jesus remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”
And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
We are to follow God.
We are to have God-centered thoughts.
We are to speak the words of Jesus in a sin-soaked world.
We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we go throughout our days we are given.
We are to honor our Father and despise the devil, the deceiver and father of lies.
We are to turn from our wicked ways and walk toward God.
We are to spend time alone with Jesus every single day.
We are to study the Word of God.
We are to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit of God.
We are to remember where our name is written—the Lamb’s Book of Life!
We, the bride of Christ, are to be pure and are to strive to be holy.
The Apostle Peter records it plainly for us. May we begin anew, today, as the sun prepares to rise and as our day unfolds:
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
(1 Peter 1: 13-16 NASB)
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
because it is written: “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
There’s a melody by Casting Crowns that applies today: “Stained Glass Masquerade”
May we not walk around in masquerade.
May we not be plastic and fake but may we be honest about our sins.
May we worship God and seek Him in our fall from grace.
May we seek purity and be the bride of Christ.
May we be the church God has called us to be.
May we remember that God is molding us, shaping us, and trimming off the ugliness as we walk toward the place He has prepared for us.
May we shout to the world: “Thank You, God, for saving a sinner such as me.”
May we be “like the Holy One who called you, [& may we] be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
because it is written: “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1: 16 NASB)