Emily and I go to The Village Church. We've been in the news lately as most of Dallas has heard about the health problems of our pastor Matt Chandler. What many people don't know is how blessed our church body is to be lead by such a gifted group of pastors. In Matt's absence we have continued to be cared for, challenged, and instructed with an unwavering hand.
One of those pastors called us to spend time dwelling on the person, and being of Jesus Christ this week. His sermon, and the conversation the Holy Spirit inspired in our Home Group last Wednesday have rubbed against each other in my heart, and formed a devotional of sorts.
In Revelations, God refers to himself as the Alpha and Omega three times. Most people know those as the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing that God is the beginning and the end. In recent days I have come to see them as an intimate, holy assurance of hope expressed in 2 Greek characters. Hopefully I don't fail miserably in my attempt to share that with you.
In Rev 1 God says:
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Webster defines Almighty as having an absolute power over all. Absolute meaning there is no restriction, exception, or qualification on God's ability to affect. It's as mind boggling as infinity, and as quantifiable as Pi. He can stop a spinning atom with a thought, and all creation is under his authority.
Rev 21
6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
God is the beginning, and the end of all things. Whatever you see in life, whether good or evil, living or dead, created or born, all things proceed completely from and return completely to God Almighty. He is the source of Life and the Fire of judgment. In Exodus this was Expressed in the name I AM. I AM without boundary or beginning, without limitation or end. I AM not encompassed or contained. I AM defies description.
Rev 22
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
He is coming in power and terror. A God, so great the mind cannot conceive His origin or the mechanism of his creation. He will stand judgment over the multitude of humans he has created. He will mete out Life and Death without restriction, exception, or qualification, and His Spirit will execute His will without failure. Only God could stand before God to interceded. Praise Jesus for our salvation.
Wednesday in Home Group we talked about anxieties; where they take root, and how we combat them. In our conversation a common theme emerged. Our anxieties often seem to be rooted in a proud place. From the very beginning, the culture we live in has raised us to believe our value is in what we earn. There is an assumption that if we "do the right things" everything will go well, and as people we are often judged solely on our results. The rich are more respected than the poor, a stylish house is more honored than a bare one, and people are who buy designer clothing are more dependable than those who are threadbare. Often, who we are isn't defined by what we do, but by how what we do
turns out for us. So we worry.
We worry because part of us knows that even if we do everything right, the results of our actions are outside our control. How much more is it the case when we only get
almost everything right? How much pressure does that put on
every little thing to be perfect? Regardless, the world still believes it is the results which define us, and the more we give ourselves over to the world, the more we believe the same thing.
So what should our response be?
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
We who believe, look to Jesus Christ. We find our worth in the assurance that while we were lost in darkness, with no hope of redemption, and no value in us, Christ demonstrated his love for us through his death, so we might live. Our value is in the bounty that was paid on our behalf; which is the priceless blood of an Almighty God who became a man. His blood buys us freedom from the standards of the world. It leaves us unburdened to focus on conforming our hearts through our actions, and it allows us to trust in God Almighty to justify the work of our hands. We are no longer defined by our money, our appearance, or even by our sins. We are defined forever as children of God adopted by Jesus Christ, and God's nature assures we will live up to that pedigree. His Almighty Will continues day by day to transform us from one degree of glory to the next, continually granting us greater freedom and joy, as He changes
our nature into a reflection of Jesus.
What a sweet heritage of freedom and redemption we have been given.
