Sitting On Your Treasure

Many of us know the story about Jesus dying on the cross. A King who was blameless that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He was beaten beyond comprehension and mocked. Nails hammered into his hands and feet to the point where he couldn't even stand up to catch his breath. He was stabbed in the side with a spear. Many thought He was truly finished but then, just as He said, He rose from the grave on the third day of His crucifixion alive and whole!

The problem is that most of us were taught that redemption was the fullest extent of what God had to offer His children. We get together to worship Him on Sunday morning and honor Him on Christmas and Easter. Some choose to get baptized by water as a public declaration of their acceptance of Jesus into their hearts. Some knowingly or unknowingly set their spiritual life on "idle" and experiencing the same old highs and lows of life. Others see tangible needs that need met and fill them because they have the capacity to do so. Then we wait for the trumpets of Heaven to sound off so we can go home and be with our Heavenly Father. Right?

Redemption was the beginning of so much more!

Jesus promised us when He ascended into Heaven that He would leave us a "Helper" and His name is "Holy Spirit" (John 14:26). "Holy Spirit" is responsible for being the direct connection to God's heart to manifest Jesus through His Sons and Daughters according to His will (John 16:13-15). The Bible identifies the "Holy Spirit" as someone who we are to cultivate a relationship with in equal parts to the Father and Son (Matthew 28:19). When you accept Jesus into your heart, "Holy Spirit" now lives inside of you and walks with you everywhere you go. You are a walking representation of Jesus to the world!

It gets even better!

Did you know that you are of Royalty? Co-heirs to "the Kingdom" (Romans 8:16-17, Galatians 3:26, 1 Peter 2:9)? When you say "Yes" to Jesus, you are now a Son or Daughter of "the King". When "Holy Spirit" moves into your heart, Jesus comes and puts a cloak around you, places a ring on your finger and then rests a crown on your head! You have the authority, through "Holy Spirit", to silence the works of the devil here on earth today and to restore everything to the Kingdom! What an honor! Is that not amazing?

The bible also talks about "Spiritual Gifts" (1 Corinthians 12) and how God gave us these gifts to bring glory to the Kingdom in this life. If you struggle with believing in the giftings or the validity of their application today, then just obey God's command to "Love" people. He states in 1 Corinthians 13 that any of these gifts that are not rooted in "Love" are useless anyways!

So what would happen if we stepped out on faith and believed, with every fiber of our being, all that God freely offers us? What if we broke this religious mindset that has hindered Him from moving for generations and started walking like Jesus walked?

I won't sugarcoat it, the Bible says that we will be persecuted for what we believe (2 Timothy 3:12). It could be as simple as being the stranger stepping out in faith and talking to someone about Jesus or as extreme as laying your life on the line for Him. These seem like two very different degrees of sacrifice but is it really that outrageous if you position yourself in right relationship with Him? Does it change anything?... It changes everything!

When you experience the Love of Jesus, you will never be the same. It drops you to your knees! It changes your entire perspective about this short life we have here on earth. We stop seeing situations as they are and start seeing them as Jesus sees them. Kingdom reality! Our responses to all situations are one's that are rooted in truth and love. If we know who we are in Jesus Christ, it doesn't matter what the world says because the Bible tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12)!

Just think about it...What if you stepped out in your true identity and began to listen to "Holy Spirit"? Is it worth being comfortable and letting divine opportunity pass by if it meant another soul touched or saved? Some of you might say that it's a burden to take on other people's problems and pray for them. "Holy Spirit" came to remove that burden from us. He says that His yoke is easy and his burden is light (Mathew 11:30). I see Jesus heal people almost every single day! Jesus just needs a willing Son or Daughter to say "Yes" to the call.

Will you answer?