For God

As I was reading Revelation 5 yesterday, verse 9 arrested me. Let me share the entire verse with you: And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." I've read that verse many other times and and don't know that I've ever stopped to catch the phrase, "for God."

I think many of us ponder from time to time the fact that our dear Lord Jesus Christ purchased us with His blood, but how often do we stop to marvel that He purchased us FOR GOD? If I purchase an item for a friend (with my own money), is it not a gift? We are a gift from Jesus Christ to God His Father. That is a two-fold gift...one gift with many facets (the Body of Christ), yet each one of us individually is also a gift, all 'on its own.' What a cool gift, eh?

Yet, there are times when I feel like I'm a very poor gift. I'll bet you do, too. This reminds me of Ephesians 4:1, which says, "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." Whew! Should we not recall that verse more often than we do? Should we not memorize it and 'make it our own?' Should we not constantly remind ourselves that we are a gift for God, bought with the highest price ever paid for anything?

Well, that brings me to verse 10 of Revelation 5: You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth. Oh, my! This verse alone could take many blog posts! I'd love to know how many of God's gifts realize this! As blood-bought saints of The Most High God, we are kings and priests and we are to reign upon the earth! Now, frankly, most of us want that, but for all the wrong reasons. We wish to spend it on our earthly pleasures and desires rather than those things that will minister to the realm of eternity. Matthew 6:19 & 20 say, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." So, if we've been designated as kings and priests and to reign upon the earth, how much time do we even spend thinking about storing up treasure(s) in heaven? Let us actively and intentionally minister to Him for Whom we were purchases and to Him Who purchased us.

And may I end with Revelation 5:12..."Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"