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The brethren in Berea “received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily...” Acts 17:11.
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching” – Hebrews 10:24-25.
“The day approaching” is when we will finally and very soon “meet the Lord in the air” – I Thessalonians 4:13-1 8.
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. BUT EXHORT ONE ANOTHER DAILY, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” – Hebrews 3:12-14.
God calls us to be like Christ and to become the people (His people) that He has always wanted and loved for us to be. To the Jewish leaders of His time Jesus said: “...how often would I have gathered your children together... and you would not” – Matthew 23:37-38. “Therefore say I unto you: the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation (the true church) bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken...” – Matthew 21:43-44.
Our Lord wants us to be broken and contrite in spirit so that He may continue to perfect us as we live “in the body of Christ – the local church,” like the beautiful vessel in the hands of the Great Potter. He conforms, supports and comforts us so that we can go and love and comfort others “by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” – II Corinthians 1:3-4, by working together (living daily in fellowship with other believers) we can become a vital part of this process that we call our “sanctification” - where we walk in purity in the light: “For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light” – Ephesians 5:8. Luke 16:8; John 3:18-21 & 12:36; and I John 1:5-7.
Living daily in fellowship with believers is the only way that we can have a good level of honesty and accountability with each other, the only way to grow “the mind of Christ,” and where we walk in tenderness and love: “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children...” I Thessalonians 2:7-12 – where we learn to walk in wisdom: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil...” (Ephesians 5:13-21) – and living our lives God’s way, where we become salt and light: “You are the salt of the earth.... You are the light of the world... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven” – Matthew 5:13-16. Therefore, let us make these commandments real in our lives every day and in every relationship – this we call our “holy transformation” – this is the only way we can become “partakers of the heavenly calling” – Hebrews 3:1 & 14, and “partakers of the divine nature” – II Peter 1:4. Thus, we seek, we come, we become, and we follow with perseverance unto the end, for soon all will be placed at the feet of Jesus – Acts 17:30-31 & Ephesians 1:15-23.
We come to the Person of Jesus Christ - we become a vital part in living daily with the People of God - we come to know and develop our Purpose and our calling – Philippians 2:13-14 - we become active in the Process to be transformed into the image of Christ - we walk in the newness of life – see Romans 6:1-4 – in a given Place as an active member of the Body of Christ in the local church, and we Preach the Word of God every day, to every person we meet, and at every level of our society. Jesus Christ tells us: “Go and make disciples in every nation... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” - Matthew 28:18-20. You cannot “go and make disciples” unless you are a disciple yourself - every day, wherever you go and whatever you do, and at every level of the marketplace in every society. The dictionary says: “A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes His doctrine, (2) rests on His sacrifice, (3) is inhabited by His Spirit, and (4) imitates His example.” All this should be done on a daily basis. There’s no such thing as a part-time disciple. Jesus told us in His Word about those who cannot be His disciples. Matthew 10:37-39; Luke 14:26-33; and John 6:63-69. Truly, we all fall short at times, but not for long: “For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief” – Proverbs 24:16. 1. Seek/Search – Matthew 6:33; John 5:39 & Acts 17:11.
2. Come/Convert/Confess – Acts 3:19 & Romans 10:9-10.
3. Be/Become – Philippians 2:1-8 & I John 3:1-3.
4. Follow/Fulfill – John 10:26-29 & Philippians 3:7-14.
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
The word “transformation ” appears in the New Testament in various forms – as transformed or changed. Metamorphosis is a change that is lasting in form and often in the habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects, the transformation of a maggot into an adult fly, and a caterpillar into a butterfly, and in amphibians, the changing of a tadpole into a frog.
Our enemies are also transformed into “angels of light” for the sole purpose of deceiving us – II Corinthians 11:13-15. Jesus was transformed before them – see Matthew 17:1-2. In the life to come we will be changed/transformed into Christ’s likeness – I Corinthians 15:51-52 & Philippians 3:20-21. In the present life we are changed/transformed daily into the likeness of Christ that we may be able to walk in His steps. II Corinthians 3:18; Romans 12:1-2; & Romans 10:8-13.
“For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (on a daily basis) – I Peter 2:21.
The Wilderness Mission/Camp
P.O. Box 132, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Pastor Charles Alonso – 828.775.0009
www.wildernessmission.net
