Friday, June 8, 2012

Firstling The Bride of Christ

A friend asked me recently, “Why would I want to be a Firstling?”  I
said that is a very good question!  Some people think that because
they believe in Jesus Christ they have a “get into Heaven” free card,
or those who have been sealed by the hand of an Apostle have the same
“card” as well.  This is just not that case.  It is not enough to just
believe, Apostle James said; “You say you have faith, for you believe
that there is one God.  Good for you! Even the demons believe this,
and they tremble in terror.”  James 2:19 (NLT)

Anything in life that matters takes work.  Faith takes work.  Building
a relationship with our Father, Big Brother Jesus and the Holy Spirit
takes a life time.  It is a daily battle at times.  And the goal we
all seek is HOME.  Our Heavenly Home!  Right?!

Some may think that because of the way they live their life that is
cause for them to get into Heaven but Apostle Paul said; “For it is by
grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God,  not by works, so that no one can
boast.”  Ephesians 2:8, 9 (KJV)

But then The Apostle James said; “What good is it, dear brothers and
sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?
Can that kind of faith save anyone?  So you see, faith by itself isn't
enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.  James
2:14 & 17 (NLT)

Hmmm, that would seem a contradiction wouldn’t it.  But in fact the
point is that you need faith AND you need to work as well.  This is
not working for ourselves it is “doing good works” for others.

Some may think that once they get into Heaven they will sit back on
their cloud or in their mansion and they will eat and drink and now
have the time to relax and reap the rewards of their faith.  But
Apostle Paul said; “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we
eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in
the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17 (NLT)

What is it that we are doing while we are here on this earth in this
end time?  What is it that drives us to our goal?  Do we really
understand what it means to be a Firstling, Overcomer, King or Priest
and the Bride of Christ?

Since I have been a little boy I have heard all of these buzz terms
and through my life certain definitions have come across my heart.

Firstling - the first of its kind to be produced or to appear.  (Dictionary.com)

Overcomer - to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations,
etc.); surmount: to overcome one's weaknesses.  (Dictionary.com)

King - a male sovereign or monarch; a man who holds by life tenure,
and usually by hereditary right, the chief authority over a country
and people.  (Dictionary.com)

Priest - a person whose office it is to perform religious rites, and
especially to make sacrificial offerings.  (Dictionary.com)

Bride of Christ – Apostle Paul said; “For I am jealous for you with
the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one
husband—Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2 (NLT)

But what do all of these meanings comprise?

We are to become the ultimate SERVANT!

Servant - a person employed by another, especially to perform domestic
duties. 2. a person in the service of another.  (Dictionary.com)

To be a servant means to do what is asked of you without question.  It
is to give of yourself freely for others, think nothing of yourself
and to give of your strength for their sake.  It is to perform a task
with not expectation of payment or reward whatsoever.  So then why
would anyone want to be a Firstling or a Bride of Christ?  This may
perhaps sound like a lot of work to some people?  And in fact it is!

Jesus was the greatest example of a servant!  Now do we want to really
be like Jesus?!  We will not have to give our life in death to serve
Him or others.  But what we will need to do is sacrifice our own
freewill.  Put aside what WE think.  When we give that up we show our
Father that we trust him completely.  Can we really TRUST HIM
COMPLETELY?!  Do you have that kind of faith that no matter what
happens to you, you will “stay the course”  and allow Him to lead you
to where HE needs you to be so you will become WHAT HE wants you to
BE?!

When you chose to serve the Lord you must understand all of this
completely.  “My son, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul
for temptation. 2 Set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and
make not haste in time of trouble. 3 Cleave unto him, and depart not
away, that you may be increased at thy last end. 4 Whatsoever is
brought upon you take cheerfully, and be patient when you are changed
to a low estate. 5 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men
in the furnace of adversity. 6 Believe in him, and he will help you;
order your way aright, and trust in him. 7 You that fear the Lord,
wait for his mercy; and go not aside, or you will fall. 8 You that
fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward will not fail. 9 You that
fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.”
Sirach-Ecclesiasticus 2:1-9 THE APOCRYPHA.

This life that we live here and now IS the training and teaching of
tasks that we will perform once we arrive in Heaven.  “Let us be glad
and rejoice, and let us give honor to him.  For the time has come for
the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear." For the
fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people.”
Revelations 19: 7 & 8 (NLT)

So I ask once again, do you really want to be a Firstling and a Bride
of Christ?  Life is choices.  The time is NOW!  No more excuses, we
are either ALL IN!  Or we are ALL OUT!

I stand behind the statement made by Joshua thousands of years ago;
“But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will
serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the
Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you
now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

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