First posted August 1997

MY POSITION IN CHRIST​

Positioning

I wonder how much thought we give to "destiny". The world talks about fulfilling our destiny. The church talks about reaching our destiny, having authority over the angels, etc. But somewhere in all of the rhetoric, the meaning of destiny has either been lost or perverted for social and material and religious gain.

We must realize that each of us has a destiny before we can begin pursuing that which lies ahead for us. There are many groups, books, devotions, sermons and types of thought-controlling information which are available to the public to "learn" about "destiny". If we think about it for very long, we will discover that all the speeches, books, writings, etc. have a tendency toward reducing the importance of what we call "destiny". Mankind has decided that if it takes something it does not understand, and reduces its importance, then it (mankind) is no longer accountable to Almighty God! It isn't called "the buck stops here". It is called "deception"! It is called irresponsibility! It is a trick of satan!

We deceive ourselves when we work out a scheme whereby the principles and precepts of Almighty God are reduced to what we think we can "manage". By the time mankind realizes that God can be neither reduced nor managed, it may be too late. Humanity is being lost to God at an amazing rate daily--moment by moment --- breath by breath.

No Confusion Here

Confusion is all around us regarding exactly what our "destiny" is. God has told us our destiny: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the beloved." Ephesians 1:3-6 NASB

By His Grace, God has pre-ordained us to "eternity" to Himself. He has made the Provision for us to return to our original union with Himself. It is not His desire for humanity to spend eternity in hell, totally separated from Him forever. He created hell for satan and those who had followed him in his rebellion against God.

But what is our position in all of this "destiny" stuff?

Position: the specific place each of us is supposed to be in order to fulfill the plan that God has for each of our lives. (Definition, mine) Okay, but then what?

That is the easiest part! Your position in God, the position for which you were created, is to be a branch! The answer is that simple! But wait...

How Can I "Be A Branch"?

We can "be a branch" by resting in Chris; our Lord! Resting in Christ sounds so simple but putting it into practice can be difficult. Part of the reason for the difficulty is that for centuries, the church, the world ... everybody has been telling us "we have to work for God", "busy hands are happy hands" as well as many other little quips of non-biblical "wisdom"!

God speaks to us and tells us that He loves us. He does not wish to "do us in". He wishes for us to come to Him, lean on Him, trust Him to complete His Word in each of us. He is a Father of Mercy and Grace and Love. His Son told us very clearly in John 15 that we are "branches"! He is the True Vine and we are the branches of the True Vine.

So rest in the knowledge that you are a branch. Remember that you are only a branch because the Vine and the Vinedresser have made it so. Leave the fruit of the Vine in His Hands and rest ... in Him.

What is your position in Christ? A branch... just be a branch! Rest in the Vine to do His work and bring forth His fruit ... Abide...in Him!

From The Bridegroom

Our Bridegroom has told us many things over the years. But what is He saying to us right now? Is the Holy Spirit speaking today as He did in the time of Peter and John and Paul? The answer, of course, is yes. The only difference between the Holy Spirit's speaking 2000 years ago and His speaking today is that, for the most part, Christians aren't listening! How can we expect the world to listen to God's Message when we so-called Christians don't listen? We seem to demand something from others that we are not willing to give ourselves!

The Holy Spirit says to us, "Speak my words of wisdom, not of man's wisdom. Speak it loud, clear and with My urgency. Speak what no one wants to hear. Speak My Word of Love and Peace. They will not understand that pain and suffering accompany My Word of Love and Peace. Speak Truth and draw not back from the Banner of Truth which is Me. Speak the words as from the daughters of Zion, to the daughters of Zion. Speak My Word, reveal My Truth and rest in the abiding Love of your Father and Creator." July 16, 1997 Our Bridegroom Loves us with an everlasting Love. We must remember that our love to Him is to be an everlasting love.

God's Chosen People

The Jewish People are God's original people called out to Himself. He has never rescinded that call! The Jewish People are His because He called them into being because it was His good pleasure to do so. If you are one who hates Jews, is jealous of Jews, is anti-Semitic, then you are standing in direct opposition to Almighty God. There is no doubt about it. If you think otherwise, then you are sadly mistaken and deceived by satan for his purposes of revenge against Almighty God. Do not be found standing in opposition to God. Be found in His Heart ... And there you will find the Jewish People.

Look At Current Events

A look at the newspaper or the evening news on television is enough to depress the strongest soul. We see murder, strife, suffering, robbery, the New World Order, the globalizing of the inhumanity of mankind...

What we see is the ushering in of the time of the anti-Christ.

"The world is also dividing into regional coalitions and broad alliances--just the places the Bible predicted it would in the last days. Unfortunately--not just for Americans but for the entire free world--the United States is also on the decline in power and influence. Poor leadership, moral decay and a betrayal of many of the Biblical principles upon which the nation was founded have contributed to America's fall from grace.

In addition, in a very real way, I believe America's fate is tied directly to the way it relates to the nation of Israel. Think of the way America prospered from 1948 through 1967 when its support of the Jewish state was virtually unconditional. Today the United States has joined the worldwide chorus urging Israel to make concession after concession to the Arabs for nothing more than promises--promises the Arabs themselves vow to break when addressing their own people away from the glare of Western TV cameras." The Final Battle, Hal Lindsey, Western Front, Ltd., page 111

It's Easy To Condemn What Will Not Alter You
Shame means being intolerant of behavior illegal or destructive to the social contract. We are cheerfully intolerant of cigarette smoking or wearing fur coats. On the other hand, on issues of morality, of sex, reproduction, family and honor, we are considerably less judgmental. Hypocrisy is alive and well in this country. Like the old maxim that says we get what we deserve, this truism is reflected in our children, our marriages--and our nation leaders.

The United States is learning from experience what the Christian learned from the pages of scripture. Romans 6:23 tells us, "The wages of sin is death."

We are witnessing the death of our culture, our international reputation, our internal security, and in far too many cases, even the death of our children." The Final Battle, Hal Lindsey, Western Front, Ltd., page 223, 224

It behooves us to allow God's Holy Spirit to instruct us and to awaken us to the reality around us of which satan would have us be ignorant. Not knowing the truth does not mean that it will not come about. It just means that in the process of that truth coming about, we remain ignorant. The fact is, mankind would rather believe the lies of satan because he doesn't want to face the truth of God ... or of Himself

Bottom Line

The bottom line is very simple. Your position in Christ is that you are a branch. Be a branch and allow the Holy Spirit to work the work of the Vinedresser in you and bring forth HIS fruit!

Choice

You have a choice. You have a voice in your destiny. Yes, God has told us what He desires our destiny to be. But we can turn away from His Grace and Mercy and choose to be destined for eternal hell ... eternal death. The One Who Created you is waiting for you to reach out to Him. There is no set pattern or wording. Just tell Him you want Him and need Him. He's just waiting for you to invite Him into your heart. Confess to Him that you are a sinner in need of His Saving Grace. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to take His Abiding Place within your heart. Ask Him to be your Savior and your Lord. He will. He's just waiting for you to ask.

In Jesus' Name, Be Blessed!