“These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.” – Revelation 14:4
Oh, the heart of God finding His full expression in His people, in the day-to-day! What love, what joy, and what meaningful fullness of life there is in following the Lamb wherever He goes: in the kitchen, at work, tending to the kids in the middle of the night, in the car commuting to/from work, in the trials we are currently walking through, in sharing His life with others, 24/7. All of these (and much more) are the living reality of our life in Christ. We will one day be present at that great marriage supper of the Lamb. Intimacy with Him has already begun and will find its glorious and indescribable consummation on that day.
As I was taking care of a very meaningful (but seemingly mundane) project today, I was talking with the Lord about the opening verse above. Then, another verse came to mind that answers the question, “How shall these things be?” “But sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord in your hearts.” This inward sanctifying is the Spirit’s application of the Cross in our hearts.
When Christina and I were first married, we sensed that simply being together glorified God. What mattered most was not where we were or what we were doing, but that we were together.
What a picture of our walk with our Lord, and “how much more” this is the case now! “Set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts.” This inward settling and giving Him first place in everything is essential to the outworking of His life being expressed in reality.
There’s a little reminder note on the inside cover of my Bible that says, “God‘s expression of His love in Creation—His eternal purpose; perfect love, unity, and fellowship first and always intrinsic and then concentric; revealed in Christ through the Holy Spirit to, in, and through redeemed man!”
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him…” – John 14:23
And this next part is the most incredible thing known to mankind. The disciples had listened to His every word with rapt attention, knowing that He was leaving them, and heard Him say He would prepare a place, return, and receive them, “that where I am, there you may be also.” Incredible. Later in this same chapter, as we have quoted above, He says to the humble, to the pure in heart, to the obedient from the heart,
“and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” – John 14:23
The Apostle Paul, writing to our brothers and sisters in Ephesus, but unbeknownst to him, to countless billions of hearts, prayed, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell (settle down, abide permanently) in your hearts through faith; that you being rooted and grounded in love…”
How beautiful. Love. Perfect love, all bound together in Christ. The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit,1 the guarantee of both our inheritance and His. The One Who will soon fill all things is seeking those Who will sanctify Him as Lord in our hearts, “Today.” What promise of life there is in Christ, dear one. I know you know this, have tasted the fullness of His heavenly life, and write only as an encouragement, “so much more as the day draws near.” He is the very Author of life itself, our Blessed Hope, and soon appearing Savior, “to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.”
Much love to you,
Eric
Bringing many sons to glory,
Through Your Perfect Seed;
Bringing many sons to glory,
By Your Spirit guaranteed.
….
Yielded sons not merely compliant,
“…To do Your will,” not only a part;
Obedient to death, before rulers You were silent,
Your moral image formed in us–obedience from the heart.
Bringing many sons to glory,
From Your Spirit life flows;
Bringing many sons to glory,
We follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
Romans 5:5