Jesus Divided and Divined

What Did Jesus Do?

“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many...
and for a sign that is opposed,
so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2.34-35

Everyone has a destiny, an appointed future. This is not fatalism, rather it is the providence of God, the working out of the divine will for all of creation, including our lives. Even though we all have a personal destiny, there was One who played a determining role in the destinies of all of humanity. You see, it was appointed by the Father that the Son would be responsible for the appointed futures of all of us. Aged Simeon recognized this in the baby Jesus, as he revealed to Mary and Joseph the destiny of their child.

It's like this, all of humanity has been predestined to be part of one of two groups: the elect, or the reprobate. Salvation or destruction await all of us. The sole factor in sorting out which future awaits us is Jesus Christ, he will divide and separate forever the wheat from the chaff, as it were, when God gathers in the final harvest of creation.

The dividing of humanity will not be at all arbitrary, there will be a definite and distinct measure. For, there is no middle ground when it comes to Jesus. One either receives Christ as Savior and Lord, or one opposes him. The “receivers” will celebrate in God's eternal end zone, if you catch my meaning; while the “opposers”, well, darkness, weeping, and the gnashing of teeth, and much worse will fill their eternity.

And, just in case some believe they can get by masquerading as Christ's own, Simeon pointed out that the thoughts of all hearts will revealed. Outward appearances and lip service count for nothing when it comes to our destiny. The most secret thoughts of our hearts will reveal which future is appointed for us.

If, by any chance, you are somehow yet unsure of whether or not you are a “receiver” or an “opposer” as you read this, it would be a good thing to take some time for your heart to be divined today. We don't need an appointment to meet with the One who has appointed all futures, the Great Cardiologist, so to speak, is ready to see us whenever we ask. And it is important to ask, because it is foolish to leave the divining of our heart's deepest thoughts to ourselves. We wouldn't perform a heart transplant on our ourselves, would we? And, the truth of the matter is, a new heart is exactly what we need. The good news is, God is eager and ready to perform “surgery” on everyone who comes to him admitting their old heart is no good, and asking for a new one. There is but one diagnostic test to be performed—either Jesus is in our heart, or he is not. If he is—fantastic! If he is not we have two choices: 1) We reject him, leaving our hearts just as they are (And in so doing confirm our reservation for eternity's “smoking section.”), or 2) We confess to the Father our desperate need for the Son, and ask him to send the Holy Spirit to put Jesus right were he needs to be in our lives (Confirming our destiny with God in and through Jesus, the Son.).

You want to know something, Christmas, the birth of Christ, may very well not have been December 25. But, today can be Christmas for you, or someone you know, by making this the day to receive the Father's gift of the Son. The truth is, some celebrated their Christmases yesterday, and others will be celebrating their Christmases today, and still others will be celebrating their Christmases tomorrow. That's what Jesus does every day when he divides and divines hearts that belong to him.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4