“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
We have to be rooted in the mind of Christ to pioneer, at whatever the cost, what is to come .
Just as He bowed to the Will of His Father, to glorify Him in His walk on earth so we bow to His sovereign purpose. All is for His glory not that of our own.
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”
Jesus trod a way no other had before never mind the cost. He leads us to walk through the open door in pursuit of heaven and it’s kingdom as no one has before. He is to be pursued never mind the cost of our weariness.
He has determination to have a church in the image of His Body. He sets His face like flint to that end.
“But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.”
We are sharpened as the cloud of numbness deployed by the enemy is pushed aside.
We memorise and readily recall scripture to quote as Jesus did. “it is written”. It is not our thoughts and interpretations that are of value but pure truth in His word that is worthy to declare.
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”
We move forward one step at a time. Led by Him along the narrow way. We are all called as His body to go through this open door.
We recognise and ascertain we want for nothing else but His word and His Holy Spirit.
“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
We go as one body through this door, corporately as the body and bride from the darkness of the world into the kingdom of Light.
It requires union and unity as one body as one church globally.
He knows our weakness but faithfulness and He recognises us as people of God being corralled and led through the doorway in faithful submission and obedience.
Jesus is the shepherd leading us and keeping us ordered. We become one body hand in hand “As one”
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
We together in Christ and as Heirs are one in God.
“that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
We journey together along the “highway of Holiness.”
“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”
The illustration shows our Spiritual roots rooted in Christ. His heart and mind as one with ours. Light emanating to push back the darkness.
Eight Scriptures that come to mind:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”Proverbs 4:25-27 ESV
“But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.”Isaiah 50:7 ESV
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”Philippians 3:7-8 ESV
‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”Revelation 3:8 ESV
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
“that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”John 17:21 ESV
“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”Isaiah 35:8 ESV
The song This Is Jesus. Tim Hughes
https://youtu.be/wXPtiR9mois
Lessisgreater 