Positions

I'm guessing that most people have seen a graphic of one kind or another, likely a map of some kind, with an arrow on it that also bears the words "YOU ARE HERE". It's intended to give one an understanding of where they are within a given dimension. Sometimes we need that ... and in some instances we always need that. 

For instance, we always need to know where we are in terms of our obedient compliance with what God requires of us since we're all accountable to Him regardless of who we are, or think we are. As followers of Jesus, some who're dipping their toe in the world need to know where they are in terms of the dimension of time in order to realize that it's past time to get serious about their relationship with Christ. 

By the way, looking around, does anyone see any arrows in scripture, giving us our location in time?

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  2 Timothy 31-7 (NKJV)

I know without any reminding that we're none of us perfect in our performance before the Lord and I'm one who's indeed grateful for His patient grace and forgiveness. It seems though that some who have claimed to identify with Christ in the past have put aside some of their more faithful adherence and concern toward the scriptural calls to purity and the conduct becoming of the royal priests of God's holy nation, toward some future date. But the record of our conduct and our motives before the Lord are crystal clear to Him and are creating a record that speaks to Him of the truth of our relationship with Him. Though we may be saved, I have no doubt that beyond any question of our salvation, when we have passed the initial judgment, we may still pay a price for some of our conduct through the lowering of our position in His eternal kingdom and the denial of some rewards given to others in the life after this one based on our current performance ... or the lack of it when it comes to the performance of His will for us...

...There are things we might want to consider as the record of our every moment is being observed- naked and unhidden to the last, smallest detail, by His watchful eye. Where we might be walking in freedom, some of us may be riddling ourselves with unnecessary guilt. If we do that, we hand the accuser ammunition that he'll gladly use to torture us if he can. It's so unnecessary, especially if and when we come to the realization that everything that God has commanded us and instructed us, ... is for our own benefit and blessing! 

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:9-12 (NKJV)

There are so many things given by our God through scripture that help us to know our position in this journey. So many things that He's revealed to us speak of the draw to purity that our Love for Jesus, our Christ, our God With Us, should lead us to pursue willingly. And if we don't find that draw within us, I believe that we need desperately to check the truth of our position because stagnancy in our growth toward His image is not His will for any of us, nor is our drifting distance from Him acceptable. If we're not close to Him, I assure that it wasn't Him that moved. Over and over again, instruction for living, moving, thinking and speaking in ways that are pleasing to God is available to us in scripture. And because He's made it available to us, we're without excuse for not knowing these things. I tend to believe that if we have opportunity and we still fail to seek it out, we're revealing a position to Him that we may one day regret. On the other hand, I believe that by seeking out what He desires from us and submitting our all to Holy Spirit in the ongoing process of sanctification - the process our conforming to the image of our Savior, God and King, we become a delight to Him and find ourselves blessed, at peace, and wholly profited by His molding. We gain far more than we surrender in our submission to His instruction...

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.” Ephesians 5:1-12 (NKJV)

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 (NKJ)