Isaiah 53:2 “For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”

There’s so much to learn from Jesus (that’s an infinite understatement), His characteristics in the Saints are a taste of the greater hope we’ll experience according to His sure promise; which is, to be completely free from the corrupt earthly nature of our flesh and wholly reflective of, and filled with the righteousness of Christ. In regard to eternity with Christ, once repentance to salvation has occurred, there’s no more to do in securing it, Christ said “it is finished“, but as for our present bodily state, scripture says:

“Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassingness of the power may be from God, and not from us,“

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 & 1 Corinthians 15:53

These verses aren’t a sentence to live a pre-determined reduced existence; Christ came that we might have life and have it abundantly! He’s given us his Word and Holy Spirit to guide us in the way of life!

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.“

2 Corinthians 4:18

In the opening verse, Christ’s described as growing up “as a root out of dry ground”, He never looked for approval, acceptance or honor from any man. Even the Pharisees acknowledged this in Mark 12:14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one.“

There can be so many regular experiences, interactions and habits which are appreciated as supports to our perception of having a life worthwhile. On regular occasions, I’ve been brought to consider whether my own dependence is in any other than God.

Social media platforms provide iconic means of being recognised or respected for every activity, perspective, association, image or sound. Or it can be that just fulfilling our daily responsibilities gives a feeling of worth. But when the feedback from social media is slow to come or friends interactions pause, or when the responsibilities of the day temporarily cease or reduce; do we feel worth less? We can be sure of one thing, God’s love for us isn’t based on any of our abilities, achievements, natural appearance, “righteousness” or activity. Consider the following verses:

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 

The part of us known as the “flesh” which is spoken of in Romans 7:18 “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh;“, this part desires to express itself in numerous counter-productive ways, some of these are easy to identify, some seem so “big” you couldn’t miss them, while others seem to hardly make it onto the “radar”, but regardless of our perception, God’s set the standard, and has listed a few for our notice in Galatians 5:19-21

“… sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

But there are also other ways which are more subtle types which also express the presence of the flesh rather than the righteousness of Christ. one of these is “pride”, and it’s our responsibility to give it no place at all:

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:16

How blessed we are to be called children of God! We don’t need any confirmation from men; the world has support networks to “improve social health”, including ways of imparting perception of self worth. And many of these are unwritten but communicated daily in the form of encouraging interactions from person to person. I heard one say to another in regard to someone who had lost their spouse to suicide, “I encouraged him to get to the gym, it’s been so good for him”: The problem is that the Gym won’t help at 2am when the quietness of the house allows the fears, angers and doubts of the mind to sound like the thunder of a massive waterfall, diversional therapy isn’t the peace of God that passes all understanding, and although we’re surrounded by the worlds ways and our own internal weakness’s, nothing can be added to the amazing work of God in His children, we just need to live in the simplicity of God’s on-going *sanctifying work.
(*to separate from profane [unworthy] things and dedicate to God; to purify internally by renewing of the soul.)

When we stand on the worth of Christ, we grow up “as a root out of dry ground” no one can take from, or add to the peace, worth and stability that’s secured by The Fathers will in Christ Jesus.

The children of God don’t need earthly affirmation, we have the favour of God toward us, already paid for by The One who came as a baby in the manger, The One who’ll return as He said, The One described in Revelation 19:11-16

Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.  And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:11-16

Compared to this One, earthly social media affirmations in the form of “likes”, “kudos”, “follows”, statistics or any opinion of man, are worth less than the dust that becomes airborne when the curtains are opened to the morning sun. May God grant us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him without looking back!

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every word and deed.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

APO 14-December-2020