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Pastor's Blog November 5, 2020
"Rejoicing in the Lord I"
{Scroll over scripture reference to read the scripture or reference.
With the arrival of November and the soon appearance of December, we find ourselves reminded of reasons to be thankful - and I don't think it's a coincidence that we encounter Ellen's chapter on thankfulness in "Steps to Christ" during this season.
Among Adventist Christians, two situations tend to predominate: many of us struggle with our assurance of salvation in Jesus and many of us are often confused about how to "rejoice always." Ellen has already addressed how we can have assurance of salvation throughout most of her book, and her advice on how we rejoice in the Lord and practice gratitude is just as helpful.
Ellen begins by talking about the Christian life: "The children of God are called to be representatives of Christ, showing forth the goodness and mercy of the Lord" (81; 1977 edition). In unpacking this truth, Ellen emphasizes the fact that being representatives of Jesus is about imitating him and reflecting the beauty of his love, grace, and goodness: "as Jesus has revealed to us the true character of the Father," so we are to reveal Jesus to a sin-sick and unbelieving world; just as the Father sent Jesus into the world, so Jesus sends us into the world so "that the world may know that Thou has sent Me"; Jesus sends each one of us as a letter "to the family, the village, the street, where you live," in order "to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him"; and God wants to use each of us as his representative so that "through you they will be led to understand something of His goodness and be won to love and serve Him" (81).
But why is it that discipleship - being representatives or ambassadors of Jesus - takes on this imitative and reflective reality in our lives? It is because "Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven" (81). We are not lights ourselves; instead, we merely "reflect to the world the light shining upon [us] from Christ" and "make His service appear attractive, as it really is" (81), when we truly represent Jesus to others and not misrepresent his loveliness of character (81-82).
Friends, the beauty of who Jesus is and what he has done for us - and continues to lovingly do for us - is what brings us joy and gives us cause to rejoice in him. Let us continue to rejoice always in Jesus and take delight in our Lord and Savior.
(*) Steps to Christ, Chapter 13—Rejoicing in the Lord, 1977 edition
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
