Jesus still saves! Jesus still heals! Jesus still delivers! There is still freedom and hope in His name.
The enemy would love for us to get focused on anything but Jesus. That’s really the only card that the devil has to play. Whether it’s fear, division, pride, or whatever — it’s all just a divergence from the Truth.
But when we — the body of Christ — realize who we are in Jesus and what He’s called us to do, that’s what scares the devil the most. You have so much potential, and there’s a dying world all around you. If you’re a disciple of Jesus, then He is living in you, and you have everything that you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). You are a child of the living God, and you were made to share the good news of Jesus.
I often hear people say “We need God back in America”. I’d like to say, Wait a minute… Isn’t that why He has you? You don’t like the state our nation is in right now? Go change it! You have Christ inside you! When was the last time you reached out to a stranger with the Gospel? My friend Art recently said, “Sometimes we spend more time trying to turn politicians into Christians than we do the voters who elect them!” How many people have you prayed for this week? Who has experienced a touch from Heaven through your life lately?
Now, I don’t say these things to make you feel bad or bring condemnation. All I’m saying is: Let’s wake up and be the Church! We have the only message that brings life to this world, and now it’s our responsibility to freely give it away. God has a plan, and He wants to use people like us to be His hands and feet here on this earth. What a privilege!
Did you know that you’re His representative? You are Christ’s ambassador! (See 2 Corinthians 5:20.)
There is still hope for this world, and His name is Jesus. “Where is He?” you might ask. Oh! That’s right! He’s in you and me! His body! And the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is living inside of you (Romans 8:11).
If you think you’re not good enough, then you’re right. None of us deserve to represent Jesus or carry His presence. But that’s irrelevant because if you’re a Christian, then Jesus changed you. And as a new creation, you need to get a different opinion of yourself: His opinion.
Some of you may be looking around the world and thinking to yourself Hold on tight! We’re in trouble. If that’s you, then I would argue that you’ve lost sight of why you’re here. Jesus isn’t shaken by anything that’s happening in our world right now, so neither should we be shaken.
In Colossians 3:1-2 it says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Is your heart set on things above? What are you choosing to dwell on daily? I’ve learned that if you simply treasure Jesus for who He is, then your heart and mind will be set on Heaven. The troubles of this world are still here, but they won’t phase you. Now your motivation for sharing the Gospel isn’t out of fear, but out of love; love for Christ. Jesus makes a profound statement in Matthew 6:21 when He says, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” While in context He’s talking about storing up treasure in heaven and not material things here on this earth, I believe there’s a spiritual principle from which we can learn: How can we expect to change this world for good if all we’re looking at is evil? We need to keep our hearts and minds fixed on Heaven. I want my heart set on Jesus and nothing else. Set your mind on God’s agenda.
His agenda is simple: Love Him and love others. Look at His kingdom in Heaven and then emulate it here on earth. There’s no sickness in Heaven. There’s no depression in Heaven. There’s no one who doesn’t know Him in Heaven!
So, here we go. Are you ready?
We have the right as children of God to pray for any circumstance on earth that doesn’t look like Heaven, and we are to then continue to pray and act in obedience to Jesus until it changes. Don’t take my word for it — Jesus said it in Matthew 6:10 when He taught the disciples how to pray.
Let’s step up, Church! Let’s do what we were made for. I want to see His glory revealed through you and through me. Our job is simple, and it was given 2000 years ago:
Matthew 28:18–20 — All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (NIV)
Jesus has all authority, and He delegates it to us — yes, you and me — as His Church.
Choose to see yourself the way He sees you! Choose to step up to what He’s called you to do.
Go.
Whatever He’s asking you to do, do it! Don’t wait until tomorrow to obey. Sacrifice mediocrity at the altar! He trusts you and me (as the Church) to rise up and reveal Christ to this world, and it’s about time we do so!
This world is waiting to see the Savior. Your personal world is waiting to see the Savior. Don’t wait. Keep it simple. Give them Jesus. And remember His promise that “Surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
