Joining the Ultimate Royal Family

What would you think if a royal family wanted to adopt you? I'm sure most of us would be flattered and some might even accept that offer. We could give up our jobs and live in luxury. No more mowing lawns or making dinner for us since some servants would do all that.

What many folks shamefully reject is the magnanimous offer of the King of Kings to adopt them into his family. Paul explains this benefit of surrendering one's life to Christ in Romans 8:13-15 (BBE). "For if you go in the way of the flesh, death will come on you; but if by the Spirit you put to death the works of the body, you will have life. And all those who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not get the spirit of servants again to put you in fear, but the spirit of sons was given to you, by which we say, Abba, Father."

Though our spirits are adopted at this time, we'll also have new bodies to live in when Christ returns. Romans 8:23 (BBE) explains, "And not only so, but we who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we have sorrow in our minds, waiting for the time when we will take our place as sons, that is, the salvation of our bodies."

We also read in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (BBE) that, "See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret: we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed. In a second, in the shutting of an eye, at the sound of the last horn: for at that sound the dead will come again, free for ever from the power of death, and we will be changed. For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life."

But for now, we have access to all the spiritual blessings of God through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:19 (BBE) says, "So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God,"

We also can do what the Levites in Israel could never do, except for the chief priest once a year. Because we're Christ's children, we may enter his throne room through prayer. Hebrews 10:22 (BBE) invites us, "Let us go in with true hearts, in certain faith, having our hearts made free from the sense of sin and our bodies washed with clean water:"

Isn't this, along with the peace of mind and rest promised us, worth surrendering our wills to the Master? I'll point this out in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Through Adam, we all have offended the creator of the universe. But through Christ, we gain his pardon. Doesn't it make sense therefor to give up our own foolish ways to follow him?

On Saturday, I'll post about a song which was used on a reality police show.

What's This Personal Relationship With Christ?

Bearing what I previously wrote in mind, I need to explain what the meaning is of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In brief, it means becoming his friend, disciple, servant,  and child.

When we give ourselves to Christ, we become far more than mere property. John 15:15 (KJV) quotes Jesus as saying to his disciples, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

Furthermore, we know him intimately as a true friend. Look at what Christ said in Revelation 3:20 KJV). "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Unlike uninvited strangers, we invite Jesus into our lives and he fellowships with us like a dinner guest.

Here's another great promise, this time from Colossians 1:27 (KJV.) "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Ponder that mind-blowing truth for a while.

Not only that but we inherit the riches of Christ. Check out what Galatians 3:29 (KJV) says. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed,  and heirs according to the promise."

And how do we become heirs? We become adoptees. Paul wrote in Galatians 4:5 (KJV), "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

He also wrote in Romans 8:15 (KJV), "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

Even better, this adoption is physical as well as spiritual. Consider what Paul wrote in Romans 8:23 (KJV), "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Now isn't all that worth giving up your selfish will to the Lord?

In my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven?, I hope to go into deeper detail about the rewards of a surrendered life to Christ. What a bargain it is that when we give up ourselves to him, we get all he is in return.