We have known since hearing the gospel, that there should be purpose to our life. We were given introduction to the bringing into existence of Christ’s New Covenant with Israel, a covenant that her leaders in large part rejected. And thus we Gentiles, gained access to the Christ. John tells us in Chapter one of his gospel what that means. We were given the invitation to believe and accept His Father’s gift of His Son, complete with His invitation to freely receive, and once received; then the right to become His adopted sons (the sons of God). His only begotten Son Israel’s Shepherd and reigning King on Israel’s throne is seated at the right hand of His and of our Father. We have entered into the family of God and into the commonwealth of Israel when we accept that invitation. It did not come without a great price paid for us. And it will not be without some price, some cost on our behalf. Just bearing this gift does bring persecution, for some it is great, for others it is much less.
We may not have known exactly, nor have we yet understood what our individual cost might yet be. But cost us it has and it will even as we were told.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 If we are his children, we are also God’s heirs. If we share in Christ’s suffering in order to share his glory, we are heirs together with him. (GOD’S WORD)
So we know that our reward awaits. For we are a large part of the Abrahamic covenant, and God’s promise to him that his decedents will be as the sand of the sea is without retraction. Obviously there is some hyperbole in that description. For Jesus also says that many are called but few are chosen.
His flock is also referred to as being little. It is this sheep fold (His Church) into which we all have entered, having heard the call to follow Him. And we know our Shepherd’s voice. But not all will pay the cost. Our calling was to fully trust Him as He would lead us, He had warned that a battle lay ahead. And it is into this Spiritual battle as soldiers of the most high God that we are now to be fully engaged.
Our entrance into the army of the Lord has not been without contemplation. It meant an allegiance to Israel’s eternal King, knowing that one day He will take up His reign over the new heavens and new earth. But also knowing that there is a Spiritual victory to be won. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We battle under His banner having a blessed hope and all that that hope entails. It’s about His establishment of heaven’s rule (His Rule) as He comes in renewal over this fallen earth.
We have known that as soldiers in this battle we will be far outnumbered by a world currently in Satan’s control and committed to this war with God their creator.
Yet we love the people of this world; who are now unknowingly in total bondage to our enemy, and from whom we occasionally gain and readily receive brothers and sisters, who because of the good news concerning this Christ, realizing that He is the risen savior King, have and are coming along side us in this battle.
The message is clear. Christ our King has won the heavenly battle and we are spiritually fighting in His power for Him and we must win our own spiritual battles as He will win also this earthly battle. Our weapons and armor are our salvation by faith and the love and truth of Christ as His good news is providing blessed hope for all who will hear and accept His invitation.
One must come knowing that there is a cost to this battle, but its rewards are much greater than any cost could ever be.
But for the world (the Unbeliever who rejects Jesus and His invitation for redemption from what is coming); For these there is judgment requiring from the just judge of the universe your payment for your sin. For all that cost will be so much greater than losing one’s life. For what does it profit a man that if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul?
And Then Messiah Shall Come 