THE REFUGE DEVOTIONAL
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us never allow ourselves to disbelieve for even a moment that the most profound blessing we possess is the salvation that God has given to us through the death of His son, Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul writes to the church of Ephesus, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
What, then, is this blessing? It is the glorious reality that Jesus came to earth, willingly laid down His life, and was raised from the dead on the third day. He ascended to the right hand of His Father, where all power and authority have been entrusted to Him. In His infinite love and grace, He sent the Holy Spirit into our lives to call us into this magnificent relationship, rescuing us from the eternal destruction that awaits the ungodly.
While it is undeniably true that we are surrounded by numerous blessings in this earthly existence, it is important to recognize that these blessings are inherently flawed and are destined to fade away with time. We accumulate trophies and various possessions throughout our lives that, in the grand scheme of eternity, ultimately lose their significance.
However, the salvation bestowed upon us by God stands apart; it is timeless and eternal. This salvation is deeply rooted in the very essence of our being and is made manifest through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit who lives in our lives, bearing witness to this profound truth.
Concerning this, Paul wrote to the church in Corinth saying, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, if you find yourself feeling a deep conviction regarding sin and a reverence for the holiness of God, take heart, for this is one of many evidences of the Spirit’s work within you. If you harbor a genuine love for Jesus Christ and desire to honor and glorify Him through the way you conduct your life, this, too, is a testament to the Spirit of God actively working in your heart.
Let us not be misled; we do not validate our salvation through some moral compass that God has instilled in us or a mere feeling that is tied to our emotions apart from obedience to His word. Each individual possesses a moral framework, an understanding of right and wrong. However, what I am referring to is a profound affection and heartfelt devotion to Jesus Christ—a deep yearning to hear His words resonate within your heart, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of love for Him, and an unquenchable desire to spend time with Him and to truly know Him, despite the daily battles we face against sin.
Oh, beloved, may the Holy Spirit guide your heart into the very presence of God, where the holy angels are continually worshiping Him in reverence even as we speak. This is the ultimate destination that awaits each and every one of us when our earthly pilgrimage comes to an end. It will be a moment filled with unparalleled joy, a time when we will behold the One who was pierced for our transgressions.
We will have the privilege of touching the wounds that bore away our corruption two millennia ago when He willingly laid down His life for our sake. Fix your hope upon this glorious hour, rather than on the fleeting pleasures of this life, which are mere temporal. Though we may enjoy many blessings during our time here on earth, nothing can compare to what The Lord has for us, just as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
This relationship with Jesus Christ is a precious gift granted to us by God the Father through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3 NASBS