“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
There is power in hanging on through thick and thin because we know the end of the story is victory.
We have been given Jesus Christ. The tree of life.
We will not be hurt, the provision has already been made. We are sustained.
We do not remain static as an audience participator. We move forward to process the land as an army. We will not labour in vain.
“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
We have to have the humility to accept that we can’t do it ourselves but only through Christ.
God opposes the proud.
We have to lay down our own agenda and accept that we no longer live but Christ lives in us.
This is where we rest in Him.
In His life Jesus modelled His willingness always to step down.
He took the form and likeness of man from His birth laying down His Godhead. He took on the roll of an equal to us. He took on the roll of the servant.
Conversely when we say we are not worthy and not good enough we do not trust God’s work in us.
That is denying Christ’s work on the cross. That is disempowering ourselves. We have only to trust God. Be obedient and accepting of what He calls us to.
Any despair or shame is symptomatic of choosing less than what God calls us to be, trusting in ourselves only in our pride and so robbing God the power to be who He is.
God is always good, maybe not always comfortable. His grace is divine enablement. We lay ourselves down to pick up something of greater value.
Awakening to this truth liberates us and has the domino effect of rippling through others.
Jesus is the Lion and the lamb in equal measure. Worthy on the throne having purchased the kingdom when He was slain.
His reign to be one of humility and love. Not politics and hatred. The name of Jesus exalted above all others. The rustle of His robe alone sending demons to flee.
“And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
The illustration shows laying down self and lifting up Christ awakens us and is beheld by others having a ripple on effect like dominoes falling. Emanating light that pushes back the darkness.
Three Scriptures that come to mind :
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 ESV
“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Psalm 25:8-10 ESV
“And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Revelation 5:5-6 ESV
The song The Lion and The Lamb. Bethel
Lessisgreater 