By: Katelyn Sims, senior global studies and Academy major from Cleburne/
For the Christian, new life in Christ renders a reformed way of thinking and understanding. It not only transforms the way that we live in and interact with the world, but also how we comprehend the Lord’s instruction through scripture.
Being wholly revitalized by this newfound life in Christ was the overarching theme encompassing messages delivered by Zach Randles during Encounter Week at Howard Payne University. As the founder and lead pastor at Waterfront Church in Washington D.C., Randles dove into difficult topics addressing how the believer ought to approach the reality of death, how one should ask the Lord for direction in life, and the reality of being sent out into the world as disciples. Writing in partiality to my personal reflection on the Encounter messages, there are three key points that remain impressionable.
My salvation is secure, I am no longer lost.
When the believer transitions into eternal life, they may rest assured that Christ holds the keys to Hades and is preparing a place for them in heaven! No longer must they fear death, for death has been defeated. In Romans 8:35-39, Paul describes a list of things that captivate our flesh in fear, but the redemptive message is that none of these things bind us to death and eternal separation from God because of Christ’s resurrection. Such things being tribulation, distress, persecution, famine or peril.
Randles pointed back to John 14:6 as confirmation from Christ of our assured salvation – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” From there, Christ spoke to His disciples to tell them of His active preparation in heaven for believers – “…for I go to prepare a place for you…where I am, there you may be also…and you know the way where I am going” (v. 2-4). Now that we may find rest in the redemptive salvation and future homage set before us by Jesus, we must be still and rejoice for we are not forsaken unto death!
Psalm 16 – “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Pray over location and direction, not over participation.
Randles explained how John 15:7 is a verse of purpose and direction that ought to be readily applied in the life of the believer. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Once we have arrived at a place where we begin to implore what God would have us do, our first directive is to abide.
To abide is not to walk in perfection rather, to walk in steadfastness of heart as we are guided by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. This cross-applies to Matthew 6:33 and the mandate to seek the righteousness and the kingdom of God first and foremost before we begin to concern ourselves with our perceptive needs. So, as we begin to inquire of God what He wants us to do in life, in a particular situation, in the face of tribulation or even blessing, we ought to establish the posture of our hearts to abide in the Lord’s guidance over ‘where’ and ‘how’, not ‘if’. Lordship must be recognized not in our request but to Whom we are requesting as we say, “Yes Lord, here I am, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
My life is a blank check in Your hands, God.
For believers, the fact of the matter is that we were created to go! Acts 8:4-5 is our example, as the disciples were scattered across the world proclaiming Christ and preaching the gospel. To this Randles said, “when the Spirit repositions you, it is with supreme effectiveness in mind.” This assurance of purpose signals the reality of our kinship with God – that it is not a contractual agreement but an intentional relationship with the Author and Perfector of life.
From such a bond, there is joy to be found at the center of God’s will rather than in ideal situations or the past, as Ecclesiastes 7:10-11 explains, “Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.” By recognizing that the Lord places purpose upon His direction for our lives, we look not to the past at what once was or that which we wish would be; instead, we find joy in what is to come as we wait in eager expectation at the center of God’s will.
It is here that we realize just how abundant new life is when it is built on Christ alone.
Guest Writer, Katelyn Sims