Monday, 6 May 2024

The Upper Room Discourse 92

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John 17:24a Father, I also want those You have given Me to be with Me.

Yeshua's prayer expresses His earnest desire that we (as Yeshua says, "those You have given Me") would be with Him. We talk, pray and meditate about being with the Lord, but, what does it really mean? Have we laid hold of the fullness of that reality? Side Note: "Given" means never to be removed or taken away. John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. End Side Note.

To "be" with the Lord is promised in many places throughout the Scriptures. 1 Thessalonians 4:17b-18 and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. His love commands that we will be with Him for eternity. Colossians 3:3-4 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in God. When Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him, in glory!

However; being eternally with Yeshua is conditional. These verses in the previous paragraph have been taken out of context. Die to sin and live with God is a repeating theme. The next words of Colossians bear this out. Colossians 3:5a Therefore, put to death what is earthly in you.

Romans 6 is a treatise on separation from sin which describes this conditional desired outcome perfectly. Romans 6:1-2,5 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may abound? May it never be! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ... For if we have become joined together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also will be joined together in His resurrection.

Let's close today with a warning from Scripture. The prize is spending eternity with Yeshua. WARNING: Don't fall short due to sin. Galatians 6:1b looking closely at yourself so you are not tempted also. Paul shares his testimony, as an example. Philippians 3:13b-14 But this one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua.

I'm not making this up, it is possible to fall short due to sin. Philippians 3:18a For many walk who are enemies of the cross of Messiah. Let's finish today with the good news ... Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.