Christian Living in Lockdown

Christian Living in Lockdown

See video of this article here.

The Big Picture (TBP) is all about understanding God's 'segmented' PLAN of redemption. It's about understanding how God has revealed Himself in the different stages of this PLAN, and what He expects of the people living in these stages of His PLAN. It is therefore important for us to know where we are positioned in this PLAN in order to determine how God is working today, and what He is expecting of us today!

With this in mind, let's investigate the concept of "Christian Living in Lockdown" in relation to our position in the redemption PLAN. Let's start with the following verse,

Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a YOKE UPON THE NECK of the [Gentile] disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

This verse in Acts 15 is at the pinnacle of the transition (from Law to Grace, from Israel to the Body of Christ). Based on what Peter said, there are 2 things I'd like to highlight from this verse that relates to our topic: Christian Living in Lockdown

1. The YOKE is the law (or works). If we believe we must work to please God, we will fail (just like Peter confessed the Jews did).
   
   
2.  The works based relationship was a program for Israel. Work is NOT a requirement in our grace age! Any works we do should flow from our love for God, not as an appeasement of our conscience!

So, let's ask, "What is it NOT!"

• Our relationship with God is not under terms of perform-to-be-accepted.
• Our relationship with God is not under terms of obey-the-law-to-receive-promises.
• Our relationship with God is not under terms of work-to-be-rewarded.

We do find this relationship in the bible, but it's Israel's relationship with God. They are the ones under a covenant of obedience and works and blessing. All the way through the Old Testament and the Gospels we read regarding Israel, 

• IF YOU DO my commandments, I will bless you and heal you and deliver you. 
• IF YOU DO NOT my commandments, I will bring upon you curses and destruction and wrath. 

Religion tells us that WE must make our Christian life work; that we must constantly fix ourselves, that we must perform properly, or achieve or earn credits in order to please God. RELIGION relies on self-effort, which is completely opposite of TRUE CHRISTIANITY, which is simply the believer's utter dependence upon Christ's life within.

Let's never fall into the trap of thinking,

• Am I doing enough to please God?
• Am I succeeding in my Christian duty?

So, with this in mind, let's ask, "What IS IT?" What does the Bible have to say about our relationship with God today?

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; ...

The Grace program is directly opposed to the Law program. In the Grace program, Jesus has done all the work on our behalf to have a relationship with God. The good works that flows from us is not work that helps us stay connected to God but rather it is God who works His desire in and through us, according to Php.2:13. The good works that result is a natural result of our love for God and our response to His Spirit within us. There is no effort or necessity involved. We simply live and move and have our being in Him.

As a final though regarding living as Christians in Lockdown, let's consider what does God expect of us? What is His WILL for us? You might think it would be a long list of necessary things to do for Him, but according to the Word written for the Body of Christ, it is the following,

1. For you and other people to be SAVED.
2. To GROW in the Word, coming to a knowledge of the truth of His Word.
3. To GIVE THANKS to God in and for everything.

To confirm this, see these two verses which specify what God's will is for us today:

1Ti 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Col 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:  7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Beyond this is where God places His trust IN YOU to know His Word and to put your faith in His Spirit within you and to believe that He will work out His will in your life and bring about that which is for your best and for His glory.

Let me end with this,

2Co 5:17-19 KJV  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION;  19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Whether we are in lockdown or not, it does not change what God expects of us. Our service to Him flows from His energy and Spirit within us and not by our own efforts to please Him. God can use us irrespective of the limited contact we have with our colleagues, friends and family. It is not a burden we must carry to try and do works for God, which inevitably will lead us to condemning ourselves. Its a matter of being moved by His desires within us, obeying our heart and allowing His grace and love to flow out of us towards others with every opportunity we have to edify, encourage and bless others in the work of reconciliation.

It is crucially important to recognize that God works in this manner today; by grace, through faith. Do not place yourself into the program of works that was for Israel. God is not operating in this manner today, and you will not find any blessing in trying to appease yourself or God by your own strength.