"All things Jesus, All things life, a couple of imperfect girls serving an absolutely perfect God."
That's an absolutely beautiful statement from two outwardly beautiful young ladies who are probably inwardly beautiful also. They have a popular podcast directed to.....I presume....young Christian girls around the nation....and for all I know it may be international.
There is a lot of this Christian devotional sentiment in evangelicalism today....both for young girls and women....and young boys and men. It is good....and there is no problem with it....other than it is incomplete....for it is but a part of the second act in a three-act play.
Many of these young people already through other means have played out the first act.....the mortification....not just being lost in a busy world....but being lost for eternity. Jesus here is prophet....telling us that repentance is needed....mortification....which leads to....(actually if the mortification is there then the regeneration of the heart has already taken place)....which leads to faith....and salvation....being born again....born from above.
The second act is a sanctification process....Jesus is priest...."Jesus is life"...."always liv[ing] to make intercession for [us["....our mediator in life....and this is where these wonderful young ladies dwell. It is obviously much more than only...."all things Jesus....all things life"....for it is taking up the cross....and coming out of the world....and heading out on pilgrimage....a trip full of both joys and trepidation....restful meadows and valleys of death.
The third act is....Jesus is King....and not only King....but our coming King. Maranatha....come Lord Jesus! In this act the play comes to its conclusion. If it were a musical composition....the overture and all of the arias and cantatas have been beautifully and wondrously performed. The third act begins with a storm brewing....and warnings flashing all over the once beautiful and peaceful landscape. False prophets seem to be everywhere....as is the demonic.
The youth of today need that first act....for there cannot be a second act without it! Our very salvation is in that first act. Our foundation....and our fitting for armor are in that first act.
The grand finale of the operatic piece will be played. It is just ahead....and if you listen you may hear the cacophony of sounds as the angels test their voices....and their swords sing as they are pulled from the sheaths. We sit here as the world becomes chaotic. We need this message in our sermons....and we need it firmly in place in our minds....we need it in our Bible study....and even in our conversation....so that we can bond together to keep a ballast....raise the sails....and listen to our Captain give orders to set the rudder towards the only harbor where there will be safety....the harbor of our Captain....and our Lord and Savior and Coming King!
