Be part 1
"Be" is a very small word, but a very important idea. Some of this I've touched on before, but I want to really explore. Because there's an absolute truth in the universe. But unless you know this truth, and believe this truth, it really doesn't mean anything to you. It's a gift. And even though someone gives you a gift, it's not until you RECEIVE it that you can enjoy it. So let's start with the truth. Look at Acts 2:17 in the NLT, "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams." Did you catch that? He poured out His Spirit on ALL people. Not on the people who do this, this, and this. ALL people. Let me say it another way from 2 Corinthians 5:14, "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead." What Jesus did on the cross He did once for all... for all of you all. For everybody. Jesus said, "And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself" (John 12:32 NLT). Everyone. That's what the cross did. I always say it like this: Either the cross changed EVERYTHING, or it didn't change ANYTHING. And believe you me, it changed everything. For everyone. Jesus drew us all into Himself and died, so that we might die. And then God raised His Son from the dead so that we might live. And not just live any life, but live HIS abundant, everlasting, eternal, Resurrection Life by letting HIM live it in us, and through us, and as us. That was the cross. And it is finished. It is true, right now. For everybody. But does everybody know this? No. Does everybody believe this? No. Does everybody experience this? No. Because there's a difference between the truth... and that truth that you know. The truth sets you free. But if you don't know it and believe it you still act like you're in bondage. There's a difference between God setting you free and you BEING free, if I can say it that way. There's a difference between God pouring His Spirit out on you and you receiving that Spirit. Without getting too far ahead of myself, there are two main instances of this word "be" that I want to focus on in this Rant series. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." And Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." BEING in Christ, and BEING transformed. Understanding that we ARE in Christ and that we've BEEN transformed. And then BEING who we are. Accepting who we are. Learning who we are by learning who Jesus is. Not through works and labor, but through faith. Guys, we're not human doings. We're human beings. And when we BE who we are... that's when things reveal themselves to be in Divine Order. That's when things flow. That's when things get abundant. And easy. And fun. That's when we can truly live!