One of the things I love about working with Ellerslie is the incredible men I get to meet. In a culture that appears void of Godly masculinity, Ellerslie seems to be a gathering place of the bravehearted few who are willing to spend and spill their lives for King and Kingdom. One such man, who has become a good friend of mine over the last couple years, is Paul Carnehl. Paul and his brother Mark are not only two of my favorite people, but they are also two men who are allowing Jesus to radically use their lives to impact the world around them. In this guest post, Paul takes the concept of location and brilliantly applies it to the life of a Christian.
It seems that this generation has lost something so essential to the Christian life, something that is so plainly stated in the Bible. This is something that the real estate business knows quite well: location, location, location. That is the key also in Christianity: Location.
I think it is safe to say that most people are familiar with John 3:16 which says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Yet many do not understand the treasure that this verse holds.
Did you catch it?
Here’s some more verses to see if you can pick up on it.
- Romans 6.23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Romans 8.1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
- Romans 8.2: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
The location/position of a Christian must be in Christ. We must believe in Him and abide in Him. ‘For what purpose?’ you might say. Well Ephesians 2:13 says that “now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” ‘Brought near to what?’ Brought near to God; the Creator, the eternal One who is all-powerful and all-knowing, who is over all. What a beautiful location. There is no greater place than in the presence of the Most High. Psalm 16:11 even states: “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
But there is more than just fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore; something far more necessary. It is the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension made a way for sinners to access God once again. Major Ian Thomas puts it this way, “The life that He lived, qualified Him for the death that He died. And the death that He died qualifies us for the life He lived.” This means that we have full access to the life of Jesus; His perfection, love, joy, peace, strength, victory, and more when we get in Him.
Now if we are in Christ, we are no longer to be living for the things of this world.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” -Colossians 3:1-3
We are to be living with a heavenly perspective, forsaking the sins of our former lives, and seeking the exaltation of the Lord of lords and King of kings.
So, what’s your position? In Christ, or in the flesh?
If the latter, “put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5-6) by reckoning the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus as your own.
Believe in Him, confess your sins to God, and remember, in Him is everlasting life.
You can find out more about Paul on his Facebook. He is serving troubled and inner city youth this summer at Lighthouse Christian Camp in Tennessee. They are in need of people who will sponsor kids to attend their summer camps. I would highly encourage you to pray and consider donating. This camp is doing incredible work for the Kingdom and countless lives are being transformed. Contact him via facebook for more information on how you can be involved in changing kids’ lives.
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