April 7, 2023 – Good Friday

We were deserving of God’s wrath because of our sin, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Jesus took on Himself our sin and conquered death that all who believe in Him as the Son of God might have everlasting life. The sign of a true believer is a true heart change. When we are born again, our desires, motives, and thoughts all change. We are able to fight the flesh because we have the Spirit of God living in us (the Spirit and the flesh are in conflict – Gal. 5:16-17). Now we must choose each day who we will listen to and follow; the Spirit or our flesh.

If we are truly saved, born again, and we follow our flesh, God must discipline us because He loves us (Heb. 12:7). Focus on Christ, dear Christian. This world has nothing left to give us except distraction, persecution, and hatred. Because when you follow Christ, the world will hate you as it hated Him. That is why we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. When we stand with Christ now, we will also be able to stand with Him on the Day of Judgment. But if we reject Him or become ashamed of Him now, He will be ashamed of us when we get home (Luke 9:26).

So, the attitude we must take is one of a forward focus. We must focus on what is to come which is judgment day for all (2 Cor. 5:10) and eternity either in Heaven or Hell. We must not focus on what is seen but on what is unseen, because only the unseen will last (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

When we are continually focused on Christ, going home, Judgment Day, and God’s holiness, we will walk in the fear of the Lord and will become humble; seeing ourselves as lesser and God as greater. We will see that there is no need to build ourselves up because Christ is all we need. We don’t need a prosperous life, nor do we need self-love, because all those things take our eyes off of Jesus and places them back on the things that will fade away. We will no longer care if man approves of us (Gal. 1:10), but will long fully for God’s approval. And when persecution comes, we will be prepared to stand our ground because of the armor of God (Eph. 6) and we will praise God that we are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ (Acts 5:41).

Until the day we get home, we must continue to fight this battle for holiness. What we do, matters.