Philosophy 101 taught us to think rationally and logically regarding the world around us. For instance, if A=B and B=C, then A=C. These little formulas became the grounds for our understanding of things perceived in nature, regarded in character, and encountered in literature. Political Science courses taught us to use things understood rationally and logically in world history and governments to determine outcomes and create change. We studied and argued concepts like, “Is it better to be feared than loved?” and “Does the end justify the means or do the means justify the end?” (Pause for Thought: “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.—Romans 8:30. Notice the “where” and “when” in this verse. Our justification and glorification is here and now. What kind of freedom does this give you? How will you use your freedom for others?)
Please allow me to refer back to last week’s article where it was proposed that Jesus made certain all of the big uncertainties in living a human life—“What happens when I die?” and “Who am I?” Because Jesus was who he was—both God and human—and because he experienced every known “unknown” mankind could ever experience, he determined our place (justification) and our being (glorification). He made the ending certain. We can speak and live with certainty as to where we are going and who’s we are. Therefore, in the case of Christ’s HIStory and government, the end justifies the means. (Pause for Thought: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness or danger or sword?—Romans 8:33-35. How is Jesus Christ’s government different from worldly governments? Why, do you suppose, we place such conviction and personal attention to maintaining shifting governments instead of following a King and Kingdom of such certainty? What would the world look like if earthly governments pledged their allegiance to Jesus? What would your family look like if they pledged their allegiance to Jesus?)
If Jesus’ end justifies our place and being, what does that mean for us? What then should be our response to all of this? If you are like most Christians I encounter, they are on a path of trying to earn this justification and glorification. But if something has already been given to you, how can you earn it? You can’t. You are supposed to use it. I figure, scripturally speaking, we use it in three ways—APPRECIATION=WORSHIP (Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.—Psalm 95:6-7); DEVOTION=OBEDIENCE (Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”—Acts 5:29); and IMITATION=SACRIFICE (Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.—Romans 12:1). (Pause for Thought: How does knowing the end make it easier to live out your appreciation, devotion, and imitation of Jesus? In what practical ways will you live up to your justification and glorification in front of others this week?)
