THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

 Joshua 2:1-13; Colossians 1:27; Luke 18:1-3

Introduction

A car without fuel cannot be set to make a journey. When we fuel the car, that is when it is set to move any distance. In this case, we can say the influence of the fuel in the complete vehicle, sets it to move to the desire of the manufacturer and other users.

Our God the Creator "formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature." Genesis 2:7 (ESV). With the living breath of God in humanity, we were set for His glory but for sin. We lost the breath of God which sets us for His glory.

For the glory of God to be fulfilled, Christ came. The assurance from Apostle Paul is that, "Christ in you, the hope of glory". The glory of God in His breath that we lost is actually restored in us as we avail ourselves of the influence of Christ in our daily life.

To be influenced is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself. This effect can either be negative or positive depending on what or who is causing the influence. Christ Jesus in us is our assurance of us being influenced positively, which positions us for God’s glory - the glory on earth, here and now, and that of eternity. 

Christ influences the very act of those who are His just as alcohol does to its subjects as it is written, "...do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit" Ephesians 5:18 (ESV). Christian maturity is a process that begins in us from the moment we come to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour till death. It is this process of influence that brings out God's glory.

How can we be influenced by Christ? 

In Joshua 2:1-13, we read of a prostitute who hides two spies from the Israelite’s camp in her house. 

From verses 9-10, the prostitute, Rehab, proclaims about the wonderful things she has heard that the Lord of Israel has done for them, “I know the LORD has given you this land," she told them. "We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.”

After hearing of all these things, she acknowledged and believed in the supremacy of God in verse 11;   “No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.”

She then made a request of promise, “Now swear to me by the LORD that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families." 

You can witness that she was ready to surrender to the supremacy of God. This was exactly what the poor widow also did in Luke 18: 1-3. Knowing that the Judge was the only one to rescue her at that moment in her life, she never saw the need to stop persuading him though he was refusing to listen to her plead.

Rehab was influenced by the testimony of what God has done and believed in what He could do to Jericho, and she surrendered to glorify God. On the other hand, the testimony of the judge was nothing to rely upon but the poor widow knew the influential power of persistence which brought the glory she was yearning for.

Beloved in the Lord, to be influenced by Christ is to walk in faith with God. Romans 10: 17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” The Good News Rehab heard about God caused a great change in her life. She believed in it and realized that depending on that knowledge was a better choice for her survival.  

What do you know about God? What have you heard about God concerning His ability to deliver you from your troubles, your pains, and worries? 

Beloved, to be set for glory you need Christ's influence on you. You need to constantly seek to know more about Him through studying and meditating on the word of God.  "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:1,2. Therefore, do not believe in vain, hold fast to the knowledge about God, depend on it and the glory of God will be revealed in your life.

Another key to Christ's influence is that you need to acknowledge and believe in whom Christ is. Rehab, the prostitute acknowledged the supremacy of God of the Israelites just as the widow also acknowledged the authority of the judge. This influenced each of them to humble themselves for greater glory. Rehab persist to save herself and the family and the widow persisted with the judge. 

Note the supremacy of Christ Jesus;

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

Precious one, embrace the full authority of Christ, His supremacy and authority, and have His influence on your life. Jesus taught in the parable that (Luke 18:1-3), anytime we persistently approach God with our petition and thanksgiving, He is never going to leave them unanswered or received. 

What is worrying you that you think God cannot help you with? It is never too late for you. Come to Him now and He will deliver you. He cares, so He says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

In addition, to be influenced by Christ, you need to be intentional and take action now. Rehab did not just believe in what she heard but also took action to prove her belief in what she heard by keeping the spies safe. The widow persistently kept knocking on the doors of the judge until she received justice - "On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth." Isaiah 62:6-7. We cannot be tired and rest until God establishes His glory in us. Let us act by faith in the promises of God. James 2: 17 says; “so you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” 

The faith we have in God must be demonstrated in action. In doing so, we need to;

• Be focused on God. 
• Be determined to accomplish our goal of being glorified by God. (Heb. 12:1-3)
• Depending on God always. (John 15:5)
• Keep watch and pray until Christ's influence sets us for His Glory.

 

To be set for God’s glory is to be living in the will and purpose of God. The reason why we need to be influenced by Christ is to enable us to live in the will and purpose of God. When your peers persuade you into doing something, we identify as peer influence. For the sake of Christ, if we do and don't do certain things, it is identified as Christ's influence. Paul explains that it could only be done when Christ is in you. 

Rahab who was a prostitute, had her name listed among people who demonstrated faith because of the influence of the two spies. Simon Peter says, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5. What are you saying to this Word? Take a leap of faith and witness how He will set you for His glory.

Conclusion

Inviting Christ into your life is the beginning of His influence. The Holy Spirit gives us prompting as influenced by the very nature and being of Christ. We mostly find ourselves in a dilemma as to follow Christ's influence or that of the world. It takes a determined heart and a focused mind on the Word of God to thrive through this perverse generation in this dark world. God calls on you to follow Christ's influence in order to merit His glory. Like Moses said, “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil." Be influenced by Christ - life and good, and be set for His glory, or be influenced by Lucifer - death and evil, and be set for His condemnation. 

God bless you!

Shalom aleichem...