When I was in outside sales, I waited at many a parts counter to see the
manager. And wasted many hours looking back being fed with lame excuses. It
seemed I was a stranger, and if I wasn’t there to buy something, I was only in
the way. Many a time I never got to see the decision maker, but did build
relationships with the guys working behind the counter. And in the all too rare
occasion I did get to see the manager, I was looked upon as a stranger. Which I
was, as I was on their turf, I was the away team, and an adversary. But over
time I did pick up some customers, and eventually was allowed behind the
counter. I was welcomed among the new friends and business acquaintances I had
made, and soon felt like one of them. I was part of the team, providing goods
and services, and soon I could watch and see the competition trying to get where
I was. Which encouraged me to work harder to stay where I was, the wolves were
always at the door. “Cheaper, better, fairer, and of course I wasn’t in their
best interest” they were told, but I was in, I was a part of the team, and I
could enjoy certain privileges because of it. And the view changed, as did my
attitude, no longer was I welcomed as a stranger, I was family. A big
difference. A child, but a red headed step child at best. Until I went to work
for one dealership one day.
It is one thing to be invited as a guest to the party, it is another to be
family. And just wearing the uniform gave me certain privileges. I now could
make decisions, even on a limited basis, and had the dealership’s authority
behind me. I was family, not adopted, but grafted in. I now engaged men and
women who once dealt with me across the counter, now I was behind it with them,
part of the team. Our relationship changed, and I was no longer a threat, but
if was threatened had them all behind me. And when I was out of the store, the
uniform shirt would identify anyone who saw me who I was aligned with, who I
worked with. I had their power and reputation behind me, I was one of them. No
longer a stranger, but now accepted and protected. I was one of them.
Romans tells us how we are grafted in, and scripture goes on to say we
were once strangers to Christ, but now we are family. We are part of the vine,
and we need to abide in it if we want to grow. It is in the vine where we find
the family, the love, the protection, and acceptance from Jesus. But we often
don’t feel like family, many times we feel like servants, who can come in, but
through the back door. The employees entrance, with certain clearance
instructions. We are told that our body is the temple of God where the spirit
resides in us, but we still feel like a stranger. We take an attitude like
Moses did, where he was only a servant of God. He had all the power of God at
his fingertips, yet was only a servant, he didn’t take the attitude he was
family. He had the law, and as long as he lived right, he was OK. Funny how
you only are reminded of the law when you break one. His body was a temple just
like ours that the spirit dwelt in, yet he was restricted from crossing over
into the promised land. He was always busy, doing things, fixing things,
repairing things, and planning things. He was always anticipating things to
come, and had to be ready. He never got to rest, much like the priests, who
were never allowed to be found sitting, as their work was never done. Quite a
contrast to Jesus and grace. As the son he had power and authority. He was to
be honored, obeyed, and listened to. As where Moses had charge over his house,
Jesus was given and has charge over many houses. When he dwells in us, we are
his, our body being the temple, not a building made by man, but man made in
God’s own image. And with a spirit to choose who to let in our own house. And
when Jesus is our choice, we too have all the power and authority he has. We
are family, we now have access to all God has, and all he possesses. We are
property, better yet family, and we are the responsibility of Jesus. He has
been given charge over us, the house was made for him, and we are now living in
it. When we belong to the son, we have all the things of the son, but when we
are only a hired hand, an employee, a servant, we only have certain accesses.
In Jesus we have it all. And all because Jesus s faithful over all things his
father has provided him. We are his, what a beautiful thing to know.
But as we change jobs, our access level changes, not so with Jesus. Once
the name is in the book of life, it is in. Forgiveness works forever, and
although we will sin, we are forgiven. Our hearts crying out when we do, not to
be forgiven again, but to acknowledge that forgiveness. To never let go of that
claim, to wanting to please God, and be a product of his redemption. Only in
Jesus is this possible. Nothing in the law saves, it only condemns. God’s
purpose through Jesus is to come into your life, to inhabit the temple you are,
and to be reunited with him forever. One tough assignment if you are only
religious, but simple in Jesus. And free, as no price could be paid except his
life. It takes life to replace death, and his death gave us life. And since he
was resurrected, we will be too someday. Jesus works both sides of the counter,
but wants you to be part of the deal. You are welcomed, and he wishes you to
know that, to get your inheritance today. We are no longer a number on a
card, but a full fledged member of heaven. Dues paid, lifetime membership,
accepted in full, just as we are. But look out, we are about to change, and the
change is incredible.
You may be on the outside looking in, wishing to gain access behind the
counter. The door is open, it is your choice to come in. Check all your sin at
the gate, be welcomes in, and abide in the vine. Rather than hearing it through
the grapevine, be part of the vine, be fed and nourished in Christ. Quit
looking through the window, and see what is going on. No longer servants but
friends, family. Some still think the church is a building, we are the church.
The spirit live in us. Moses served in God’s house, Jesus serves us over all
our houses. The master has given us dominion....he is over the house, and until
he returns has given us authority. We may still be called to serve, but now
have all the blessings of the master behind us. Which side of the counter you
are on is your choice. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. As
family.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com