When we look at the days ahead of us, at the uncertain future of the world, we pray, “Lord, raise your overcomers.” Today, amidst a rapidly changing global environment, people are lost in the tide of the age. Who can overcome this worldly current? Who can stand firm for the Lord? While the world is accelerating faster than ever, this generation is in need of those with rich experiences of humanity — with a weighty and substantial constitution. These are the ones who by their very standing against this powerful tide can lead and rescue a generation. At the start of another new year, we can feel that the whole creation is groaning (Rom. 8:22) — that the Lord is drawing near, and He is desperately seeking His people to rise up and answer His call to overcome.
God’s view has never changed; He always intended for man to express Him and have dominion over all of the earth (Gen 1:26). But why today are so many believers weak? Why are we not living powerfully, reigning in life? While the world has been gaining traction and speed, many of His people have been sleeping. Over many years in our own life, we have not matured. For those of us who have the privilege to be in the church, being “pickled” in such a potent and full-of-life environment should give us a constitution unto the ministry. Organically, the issue of this life should be a reigning living, one that can bring man out of the bondage of the world and usher him into God’s house. And yet so many of us have been physically here, but not truly here; physically awake, but not truly awakened.
Saints, are we ourselves also groaning (Rom. 8:23)? Do we feel His deep desire, His desperate yearning, His urgent need to move? He is and He was and He is coming (Rev. 1:8) — but where are we? He is ready — but are we? His life is powerful — but are we living it? The answer to this generation is nothing artificial or manmade; it cannot be faked. The Lord is looking for someone to match Him, to complete Him. He is longing for the church. And today, the church is nothing but an organic living out of His life in love, an expression of God Himself, a reigning, powerful, and vital force to turn the age. But the church can only be the church if she is constituted — if she is just like Him. If we are awakened from our slumber, we should rise up unto maturity, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). Eat and drink! Take Him in! Be constituted by His word. Grow! The world is waiting for an answer. Will we be those who reveal it?
For the anxious watching of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God.
For the creation was made subject to vanity, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it,
In hope that the creation itself will also be freed from the slavery of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans together and travails in pain together until now.
And not only so, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan in ourselves, eagerly awaiting sonship, the redemption of our body.
For we were saved in hope. But a hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly await it through endurance.
(Rom. 8:19-25)
(Above are notes of fellowship taken from a gathering on 12/29/2024, not reviewed by the speaker.)