THE AGE OF COALITION "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:17) -- Monday:
We are living in a dispensation identified by a coalition, or unification, of Deity and redeemed humanity. It is one marked by trust and confidence. The redeemed "trust in the living God" (1 Tim 4:10), persuaded of His all-sufficiency and gracious disposition. But here is a marvelous contemplation; the Lord has entrusted His goods to us! There is no other religion on the face of the earth that has or proclaims such a condition.
Some years ago, I was speaking with brother Dean Walker, now "present with the Lord." He shared with me a conversation he had with a Moslem when in Beruit, Lebanon. The fervent follower of Allah asked brother Walker what was "distinctive about the Christian religion." Brother Walker's answer intrigued me. After due consideration, he replied, "In our religion, we trust our God, and He trusts us." I must admit that it jarred my thinking at first. However, the more I considered it, the more I saw what he was saying.
It is not that God trusts us in the same way that we trust Him. We are depending on Him to provide for us, sustain us, and bring us into the final haven of rest through Jesus Christ. God is not dependent upon us in that sense. Rather, He has entrusted us with His resources, in order that we might do His work (Matt 25:14). In this activity, we are "laborers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9). This is an aspect of the kingdom that is most advantageous to contemplate. I will tell you at the outset, that it is a challenging consideration; yet it is a very profitable one. I urge you to seek from God the ability to see this aspect of the kingdom, and then to enter into it heartily.
The Word of God is clear on this point. "But he that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT" (1 Cor 6:17). We have been "baptized INTO CHRIST," and have "PUT ON CHRIST" (Gal 3:27). We have been "PARTAKERS of Christ" and of the "Divine nature" (Heb 3:14; 2 Pet 1:4). It is now right that we "should be called the SONS of God" (1 John 3:1). "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son INTO YOUR HEARTS, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal 4:6). A very real union has been formed between Jesus Christ and the saved. He is IN them (Col 1:27; Eph 3:17), and they are IN Him (Rom 8:1; 1 Cor 1:2). We have come into an area where there is "no condemnation." Our sins have been remitted, an inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, and He that is keeping us neither "slumbers nor sleeps"(Psa 121:4).
Why has God formed this coalition with us? Few people think about it from this perspective. God did not save us through Christ simply because He felt pity for us, or because our condition touched His heart. While these things are true, they were not the motivating factor behind our redemption. In reconciled humanity God is extending Himself. He is working through them to fulfill His "eternal purpose." It begins initially here, in this world. When God puts us into Christ (1 Cor 1:30), He has qualified us to handle the things He has given to Christ. The faithful stewardship of these things is the appointed basis for determining the extent of our role in eternity. The heavenly concept of stewardship is developed in this context. What we receive in glory will be based upon how we handled His goods here! Jesus Himself said, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10). And again, "I tell you, that to everyone who has shall MORE BE GIVEN, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away" (Luke 19:26, NASB). We have been joined to the Lord to work with Him – here AND there!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for making me a steward of Your goods. I ask for grace to be a good and faithful servant over Your goods.