Part of the Family

https://odb.org/MY/2022/02/26/part-of-the-family-2

We have read about the plight of those born as stateless children in Malaysia and how basic rights like schooling, formal work, subsidised medical care are denied them. They are largely confined to find work in the informal economy like giving tuition or the gig economy and some may even be forced to go underground working in the flesh and drug trades and moving around in the shadows. These are not illegal immigrants who may be deported to their home countries but children born here in Malaysia with no other country to call home and yet are not recognised as Malaysian citizens. Somewhat similar to what Paul described in Ephesians 2:19 as foreigners and strangers but not quite. But they are the same if taken in the context of people living among us and yet do not enjoy the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship including the right to participate in the political process as voters and election candidates.

As Christians grafted into the family of God through the blood of Christ shed on the cross of Calvary, we are now no longer foreigners and strangers in the Kingdom of God. We are rightful children of God seated in the heavenly realm as co-heirs with Christ to the rich inheritance of glory in the Kingdom of God with all power and authority in heaven accessible to us in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. We can now pray and relate to God the Father in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit now resides in us the same way God resided in the Tabernacle and the Temple of old. That is why we must always be careful to present our bodies as a living sacrifice as it is the temple upon which the presence of God in the form of the Holy Spirit resides.

What is the message this morning? I believe it is two-prong. First, be reminded that we are now rightful children of God, seated together with Christ at the table and having a direct path of communication and relationship with God. We have the authority and power as given us by Christ. Exercise the power and authority in the spiritual realm, exercise it in our lives, take control and command healing and deliverance in our lives. Live the life that God had planned and ordained for us to live, a life that is victorious, joyous and having the peace and presence of God.

Secondly, be reminded that we need to continually work out our salvation with fear abd trembling. Our salvation is assured but there is a purpose for us to be saved. Salvation is not the end by itself. It is the ultimate end but there is a journey we have to walk and travel with God. There is transformation in our mind not to conform to the pattern of this world so that we may discover and test the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. In other words, there is work to be done inside us and there is work to be done outside us in the church, in ministry and generally in the Kingdom of God. Salvation is not just a question of saying the sinner’s prayer. It is much more than that. Our words must be followed by our life story.

Let’s all be thankful that we are now part of the family of God. Rightful children having access to God with power and authority in the spiritual realm and seated in the heavenly places. But remember that with power comes responsibility and thus we must also behave and take up the challenges and responsibilities that come with our position in the family. We must defend and make sure that the honour of the family is preserved and protected at all times. Definitely not docile and uninvolved but always active and “working at it” all the time “getting on with the programme” kind of life and response!