Family Member or Imposter?

4T Pg 562-563 “Professed Christians who do not live to benefit others, follow their own perverse will rather than the will of God, and they will be called to account by the Master for their abuse of the blessings which He has given them.

As I read this statement this morning, I thought of the parable of the Ten Talents. God gives each of us talents to use for the glory of His kingdom. If we do not properly use them, we will be held accountable. The Parable of the Ten Talents demonstrates this.

1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth not us, because it knew Him not.

2 Pet 1: 3-4 According to His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given until us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Do we really think about the blessings God has offered us when we accept Christ as our Savior? He gives us many gifts, but most of us are only interested in opening the ‘gift’ of salvation. We want the end results – go to heaven. We do not want the responsibilities that go with the position.

How would a family business run if the heir spent all the money and lived up to the prestige of the family business but never took the time to

learn the business or prepare to take over?

That company would not last once the current family CEO stepped down. The company would be run to the ground. It would go bankrupt.

When we accept Christ, we join a ‘family’ business. This business runs on love. The purpose is to demonstrate the product love to all around, enticing them to join the company.

It takes training to learn how to demonstrate the product effectively. It takes education (getting to know the Founder’s personality) and it takes practice. 2 Pet 1 continues to describe the ladder of sanctification.

This sanctification process (make holy) continues throughout the lifetime of each family member. The Founder of this special company never retires and never steps down. He provides a special unique position for each family member that only they can do. Although He uses other family members in the training, the main training comes from Him.

But what happens if a family member only wants to toss the family name around without accepting any of the family responsibilities? They still want to run around and join the ‘gang’ of the world, while calling themselves a member of the ‘Love’ Family.

Would someone outside the family believe that they were really a Love Family member? No. Perhaps they would think they were an imposter or a spy.

This ‘imposter’ family member will eventually have to give an accounting to the Founder as to what they have done for the Love Family Business.

What would happen if a member of a royal family did not act appropriately? Trouble would come to them. Serious consequences.

We have been called to be partakers of the Divine Nature. 1 John 2:6 tells us that we are to walk as Jesus walked.

We cannot do this ‘sanctification process’ in our own power. It’s as we die daily to self that Christ can carry out the transformation process in us. (Rom 12:1-2) As we study God’s word and learn more about Him, then we climb the ladder of sanctification to more fully reflect His character.

At this time in history, it would be prudent for each of us to pray and ask God where we are still lacking in demonstrating His character in our life. Then ask Him for strength to bring our life into alignment to His truth.

We cannot continue to live in both worlds (God’s and satan’s). Friendship with the world is enmity against God. Will we finally take our rightful place as a child of God? Will we take up our responsibilities of living His love in action in all aspects of our life? Or will we continue to live life as an imposter/spy for the enemy’s side because we want to have the name but not the responsibilities?

Salvation is free, but discipleship costs us everything. Jesus tells us to count the cost. Do we really want to be a member of God’s family with all the responsibilities that it entails?

Something to think about.