"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
- John 10:27, emphasis added
There is an unforgettable illustration in the funeral ceremony of Empress Zita, the last Hapsburg Empress:
Thousands fell in line behind the coffin drawn by six black horses. The procession came to a stop at the Capuchin Church in Vienna, and there, a long-observed tradition was enacted. As a member of the funeral party knocked on the closed door of the church, a voice from within asked, "Who goes there?"
The titles were read aloud: "Queen of Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia. Queen of Jerusalem, Grand Duchess of Tuscany and Krakow." "I do not know her," came the response from within the church.
A second knock, and the question of "Who goes there?" brought forth the response, "Zita, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary." Again the reply, "I do not know her."
When the inevitable question was put the third time, the answer was simply, "Zita, a poor sinner." "Come in," came the welcoming voice, as the doors were slowly opened.[2]
Salvation is the greatest work of God in the universe. The convict who found Christ as he studied a Moody correspondence course would certainly agree with that statement. In answer to one of the questions, which gave him an opportunity to express where he stood in relation to his newfound faith, he wrote down: "I am a new man in an old body." It was a most perceptive remark, for that is exactly what salvation is.
Being "a new man in an old body" will go even further than that saved prisoner realized. One day he will be "a new man in a new body." Listen to this seven-step summary of what happens to all who come by faith to God through Christ: (Emphasis added in the verses below.)
1. Regeneration-when God changes my heart: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; . . . and cause you to walk in My statutes" (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
2. Conversion-when God changes my life: "Unless you are converted . . . , you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
3. Repentance-when God changes my mind: "Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8).
4. Adoption-when God changes my family: You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17).
5. Sanctification-when God changes my behavior: For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. . . . "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them" (Hebrews 10:14, 16).
6. Justification-when God changes my state: Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
7. Glorification-when God changes my place: "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me . . . that they may behold My glory which You have given Me" (John 17:24).[3]
Are you a recipient of God's greatest work in the universe? When you know God, and salvation's fruit unfolds in your soul, He does a mighty work that I like to call "The Signature of God." Has "The Signature of God" been written across your life? If not, I urge you to make a conscious choice today to live in such hope!
Know That Christ Knows You
by Rob Morgan
Aug 15, 2012
Know That Christ Knows You
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
- John 10:27, emphasis added
There is an unforgettable illustration in the funeral ceremony of Empress Zita, the last Hapsburg Empress:
Thousands fell in line behind the coffin drawn by six black horses. The procession came to a stop at the Capuchin Church in Vienna, and there, a long-observed tradition was enacted. As a member of the funeral party knocked on the closed door of the church, a voice from within asked, "Who goes there?"
The titles were read aloud: "Queen of Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia. Queen of Jerusalem, Grand Duchess of Tuscany and Krakow." "I do not know her," came the response from within the church.
A second knock, and the question of "Who goes there?" brought forth the response, "Zita, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary." Again the reply, "I do not know her."
When the inevitable question was put the third time, the answer was simply, "Zita, a poor sinner." "Come in," came the welcoming voice, as the doors were slowly opened.[2]
Salvation is the greatest work of God in the universe. The convict who found Christ as he studied a Moody correspondence course would certainly agree with that statement. In answer to one of the questions, which gave him an opportunity to express where he stood in relation to his newfound faith, he wrote down: "I am a new man in an old body." It was a most perceptive remark, for that is exactly what salvation is.
Being "a new man in an old body" will go even further than that saved prisoner realized. One day he will be "a new man in a new body." Listen to this seven-step summary of what happens to all who come by faith to God through Christ: (Emphasis added in the verses below.)
1. Regeneration-when God changes my heart: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; . . . and cause you to walk in My statutes" (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
2. Conversion-when God changes my life: "Unless you are converted . . . , you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
3. Repentance-when God changes my mind: "Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8).
4. Adoption-when God changes my family: You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17).
5. Sanctification-when God changes my behavior: For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. . . . "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them" (Hebrews 10:14, 16).
6. Justification-when God changes my state: Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
7. Glorification-when God changes my place: "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me . . . that they may behold My glory which You have given Me" (John 17:24).[3]
Are you a recipient of God's greatest work in the universe? When you know God, and salvation's fruit unfolds in your soul, He does a mighty work that I like to call "The Signature of God." Has "The Signature of God" been written across your life? If not, I urge you to make a conscious choice today to live in such hope!