“Test yourselves to see if you are in… (2 Corinthians 13:5).”
Deliver the message. That was my job at Knight-Ridder Newspapers for four years. As the Home Delivery Manager, I made sure you got your newspaper on time and readable (dry), 365 days a year. Sounds easy, right? Just trust my six District Managers, to trust 42 drivers and 350 kids to follow directions, in the dark, with 30,000 newspapers.
Frankly, it was hard, and a lot like life…a daily test, challenges galore, and trusting others to deliver. If that sounds familiar, and your life’s hard, then consider reading the directions –– the Bible. I know, it sounds corny, but God’s Instruction Manual has one primary wow-message: Life makes the most sense if the Author is inside of your body.
You read that right, God…in…you. The Apostle Paul said, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you –– unless indeed you fail the test.” That’s what it means to be a Christian, Christ in you, literally. Jesus wants to possess your body with His Spirit.
I never knew that being a Christian meant Jesus inside of me until I read Ephesians 1:13-14. Hear His message, believe it, and then be permanently sealed –– God’s Spirit living in my body. The coolest thing (and there are lots of cool things) is that this Spirit possession makes you immortal! Sounds crazy, right? Well, that’s what Jesus said (John 14:16-20). He’s either lying, totally insane, or exactly who He said He was…God-in-the-flesh.
God’s message is simple: “Jesus can be embedded in you.” You don’t have to be alone in life. But believing in God (in His existence or facts about Him) doesn’t make you a Christian. There’s only one question on His test about who goes to Heaven…have you asked Jesus to come inside of you? “Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).”
It has nothing to do with you or your religion. Nothing. Being good or bad, an American or going to church, baptized, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or an atheist. It’s just this…is the resurrected Jesus of Nazareth inside of your physical body now? That’s all. Spirit possession. His entrance restores your broken relationship with the Father, obliterates your sin, and gives you a fresh start, a new spiritual birth (John 3:1-3).
That’s amazing! The Creator in you, helping you with life’s daily challenges, giving you a clear conscience because all of your sins are forgiven, and now your best friend (who has all power, even enough to de-fang death and raise the dead). It’s a totally free gift for anyone who asks Him to come inside (Romans 6:23). Just trust Him to deliver you.
And all God wants in return is you. Change your mind about living alone, give up trying, and come home to Dad (Luke 15:11-32). Don’t take my word for it. Go read the New Testament in a modern version (like the New Living Translation). Well, that’s it. My job is done. Message delivered, on time, and readable. Now it’s up to you…in or out?
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20).”
YHM 