Many stand looking, fully acknowledging that Jesus is the Bus, yet never choose to get IN Him.
Some try to run alongside in their own effort of religious works. They soon tire, and stare, as their lives come to a standstill and are seemingly left in the dust of confusion and exhaustion of self-effort.
Some hang onto the outside of the Bus, not sure they’ll always want to go where He leads; as they prefer controlling their own lives. This seems to work for a time, but when the road of life gets bumpy, they fall off.
How can you go where He is going unless you get IN Christ?
“Therefore, if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“For IN HIM we live, and move, and have our being…” Acts 17:28 KJV
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found IN HIM, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith; that I may KNOW HIM, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God IN CHRIST JESUS.” Philippians 3:8-14
*all scriptures KJV (emphasis mine)
I’ve often pondered the parable of Jesus as the Door of the sheep in John 10. Pretty straight forward, yet I saw something in verse 9. It brought a clarity to what He was showing me with the Bus scenario: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter IN, he shall be saved….”. I’m fairly certain because of the lack of automotive knowledge in 30 AD, He had to use the sheep-fold–but I clearly believe His message and call are the same: Get IN! Walk through The Door–don’t try to climb up or hang on any other way! I died to give you life, and that more abundant. TRUST ME to get you safely where I’m going.
Hop IN! You’ll be glad you did!! 🙂
If you’re ready to get IN the Bus, or just need to remind yourself Who is driving, please join me in this prayer:
Lord, I’m tired. I’m tired of staring from the outside. I’m tired of trying to fix myself in endless works of self-effort. I repent of wanting to control my own life. Forgive me for following the pride of life and man-approval. The truth is: I’m afraid of what it means to go ALL IN with You. But… I acknowledge with every cell of my being that You are good, and that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. I want to be IN You. I want to go where You are going. I want to be led IN Your Way everlasting. I choose, at this breath, to lay down all that is behind and press forward to Your upward call and to enter at You, the Door. You are LORD, You are GOD, You are JESUS!
Forgive me for my past, even those things I was trying to do for You in my own effort of righteous attainment, I lay them all down. I count them ALL as dung, that I may KNOW You, and the power of Your resurrection Life! Cleanse me, fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead me in Your Truth and Word. Set my feet IN You. Lead me in paths of righteousness for Your Name’s Sake. I choose to get IN the Bus. I choose You, LORD Jesus, as my Savior. You are my Father, my Redeemer, my LORD and my Friend.
In Jesus’ precious Name I ask, claim and sit down in Your provided Rest, AMEN.
**As I was out walking this morning, the Lord laid on my heart a word of rebuke and correction. It is in humbleness, and fearful obedience that I address the following:
To the Luggage-Rack Riding Pharisees who teach error and cry out from the top of the Bus to be seen of men: Get down! Pride has deceived you. If you are up there…you’re not IN Him either. Repent, and get IN.
Live to be SO hidden IN Him that people no longer see “us”, they see CHRIST IN us–our Hope.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 KJV
IN Him,
Sheila
(Further suggested reading: The books of Hebrews, James, Galatians, 2 Peter, Colossians)
*Who are the Pharisees of today? In simple terms: Pharisees are loveless, religious, prideful. They believe they are set, and in need of nothing. Quick to pick up stones and plot the removal of perceived infidels to their written thesis, they are puffed up, and love titles. They are fleshy, plastic, look good on “the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones”, “lovers of self more than lovers of God”. Quick to “draw near to God with their mouth, but their hearts are far”. Jesus warned His disciples of them in Luke 12:1: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy”.
(References: John 8:59, John 10:31, 1 Corinthians 8:1, Matthew 23:25-28, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Matthew 15:7-20)
