Lesson #279
It is by now clear that the human population is divided into
two groups: a small select group chosen by the Father and the rest that are
left spiritually dead in their sin to spend an eternity under the wrath of God.
While on earth Jesus had been praying for this chosen group that the Father
gives as a gift to Jesus. The next verse, we are to cover, is an emphasis that
this group has joint ownership. John 17:10 (ESV) reads: “All mine are yours,
and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.” They first belong to the
Father because he chose them out of the world and legally adopted them as his
children. These children make up God’s family. We who make up this group, have
been born again as spiritual children and should mature into young men [and
women] and then into mature fathers [and mothers] (1
John 2:12 – 14). While on earth we have the responsibility to move along
this path of maturity (Philippians
2:12 – 13) doing the work assigned to us to do (Ephesians
2:10). This group is given to Jesus and thus becomes his as a father
chooses a bride to give to his son. This group, the bride, thus belongs to
Jesus and he has authority over her.
In this group, this bride, this body of Christ, Jesus is
glorified; how? He is glorified by our believing in him; by our walking worthy
of him in our lives and our conversations; by our suffering patiently and
cheerfully when called upon to do so; by attributing to him our eternal
spiritual nature; and by our worship of, our praise to and our love for him for
all eternity. I am overwhelmed by this picture of family, our relationships and
our joint activities. Our Father is raising us, his adopted children, through
his loving discipline. Jesus purchased our salvation and gives the gift of
eternal life to us as the Father gives us as a gift to Jesus. As our growth
takes place we are working with the Lord Jesus is building his kingdom. If I am
proven faithful in the small things now, then in heaven activities will
continue with the Father and his Son in an ever increasing manner. This joint
effort of writing these Bible studies with Jesus and the Spirit to the glory of
the Father, I believe, is just the beginning of a wonderful eternity of
activity. I long to learn more now as an apprentice to be ready for skillful
work when we meet face to face (2
Timothy 2:15).
This is enough for this study as the next verse is long and
has many parts to it. It is a good verse to start a new lesson on.
Prayer
Father, I am still here on earth and as part of this chosen
group, I must pray for others. Father, I pray for those lost sheep yet to be
found. I know that many of them will be exposed to persecution, some even
facing death shortly after conversion. Father, I pray for those facing
persecution that they will be encouraged, that they will be strengthened and
have endurance to continue on in their suffering, that they would stand
steadfast and not forsake the Lord or their faith, that your love will fill
their hearts providing them the ability to forgive, and that you would place
your hand of blessing and grace upon them. Father, I pray for those not facing
persecution that they would resist the call of comfort, convenience, safety,
and security and be willing to take some risk in their walk with the Lord.
Father, protect each one of us from the powers of darkness and from deception
and please have mercy on us because of our sin.
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