This Jesus!

This Jesus!

Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. 1 John 4:15 AMPC

The Inspiration:

My life's profession will usually follow my mouth's confession. There is power in the tongue, and the One in whose image we are made has laid down the perfect example of this power. He it was who spoke the heaven and the earth into existence, and still continues to sustain all things by His powerful Word. He actually does not need me to be God, because in the first place, I exist simply because He permits me to. He also does not need my consent to remain God, because long before I was even born, and long after this present earth ceases to exist, He will keep being God. However, there is a role for me to play here, and that is for me to publicly acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the secret to a life of purpose and impact. Have I discovered this secret yet?

The Expectation:

Yes, there may be a place for private faith and confidence in God, but it is important to move into the realm of public confession. This public phase is the proof of your private faith. People know where you stand when it comes to the faith. It helps define for you what your pursuits and priorities should be. When men know your stand, they may test you for a while to see and prove the quality, depth and scope of your convictions, but once they know that you are consistent, they will respect you. The devil will definitely not stop trying you, but because you have made a public show of your faith and confidence in God, He will definitely also show up for you. That is the latter part of today's verse: God is comfortable to dwell in the life of a man who is not ashamed of Him. 

The Conclusion:

This mutual benefit is one of the greatest blessing a man can have: to have God live in you, and for you to also live in and make your abode in God. I note that the words used here are 'abide', or 'makes his home'. These words signify long-term residence, not temporary accommodation. You are not expected to come in and go out as and when you please, even though you are allowed to. God will not compel me to stay in and with Him; He will supply all that I need for life and Godliness, but I have to sit with Him and learn all I can. If I go out temporarily, like the 5 foolish virgins, what is the guarantee that door will not be shut by the time I want to come back in? God warns; I must pay attention. He wants me to come; how would I respond? God's time of favour is here.