You are God’s VIP
When I was twelve years old I was introduced, via VH1 music television, to singer/songwriter Richard Marx. Those who know me well know he’s been my favorite ever since. So, when I got a VIP backstage pass at a concert to meet him in the summer of 1992, well, I was more than ecstatic. That little orange sticker I was given gave me access to places others could not go. I was bubbling over with excitement as I stood in line, waiting to meet the one whose love ballads and pop hits topped the number #1 spot on the charts for weeks at a time. Unfortunately, by the time I got backstage, Richard had already met his quota of fans for the evening and was gone by the time I got there. Oh, the utter disappointment.
But, I did get to meet the band and get their autographs.
The point is, for a brief moment, I was a VIP! I had access to go beyond the barriers and enter a place only a select few could go.
Do you know you are God’s VIP? Yes, it’s true. As a child of God you have been given access to His promises. Every promise God made is yours. All you have to do is receive it. Receive salvation, healing, prosperity, wisdom, peace… The list goes on. God gave you a VIP pass in the manner of a crown of life, not some cheesy little orange sticker, in order to be fully blessed.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
In the old Greek a “Crown of Life,” refers to a badge of royalty given to those who have earned special access to special places.
But notice the first part of that scripture: blessed is the man (or woman) who endures temptation.
Let me make something very clear before I continue. God’s promises, His blessings, His salvation is not EVER something you have to earn… EVER. He has freely given all these things to you. They may not appear in your life at times because of other forces or circumstances, but never because God is withholding them from you. Most of the time when we do not see results it is because of our inability to freely receive. Often we feel unworthy or that we somehow have to be better first. Other times God holds back because what you think you need at that particular moment is either something that is harmful in some way to you, or that God has something better for you. But it all goes back to God freely giving you His best and you freely receiving it.
Now, back to that scripture: blessed is the man who endures temptation. “That sure sounds like you have to earn that crown of life (VIP badge of royalty granting special access to special places) to me.” You know what, yes it does sound that way. But let’s dig deeper into the nature of God and what Jesus’ death on the cross means to us.
“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. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4
Jesus’ death on the cross took all your shame, all your guilt, all your unrighteousness, and He took it on Himself. In exchange He gave you His glory, His crown, His righteousness. When you receive His righteousness, you recognize that not by your own deeds or righteousness were you saved, but by His.
So, when temptation comes, and it will, remind yourself just exactly who you are in Him- righteous.
Will you stumble? Yes.
Will you make mistakes? Yes.
Will that strip you of your crown? If you think the answer is yes, then you just crucified Jesus on the cross all over again. Meaning, His death was only good enough to cover your sin until you sinned again.
Wrong! 2000 years ago, Jesus’ death and resurrection covered all your past, present and future sins. Think about it. At the time of His death, weren’t all your sins future sins? So what makes you think that once you’ve received His salvation and mess up that you’ve somehow lost your VIP pass? That crown is yours to keep!
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV
Grace is not a license to sin, but rather the strength not to sin.
When we stumble so-called friends and family are right there to point out your faults and transgressions in a self-righteous attempt to correct you. Sound familiar? I know it does. But does their “concern” for you make you want to do better next time? Or does it simply put you on the defensive? “They just don’t understand me.” Or maybe no one has to condemn you cause you do a good enough job of it yourself. “Guilt is a treadmill that wears you out and doesn’t set you free.” Joyce Meyer
Condemnation weakens you. But when you stumble and someone shows you compassion it empowers you.
When someone loves on you instead of condemning you it gives you hope. It gives you the strength you need to endure and face the enemy again. And in doing so, you are able to resist the temptation and overcome the weaknesses of your flesh.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8 NKJV
Jesus knows how you feel. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses…” That’s the good news of the gospel of grace- He still loves us while we are still in the process. And on top of that, He provides a way of escape when the temptation becomes too great. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV
How do I overcome temptation? How do I freely receive God’s blessing?
- Know who you are in Christ! You are not a sinner trying to do your best. You are the righteousness of God through Christ and the devil is doing His best to try and destroy you. Don’t let him.
- Prayer! Prayer is the greatest weapon you have against temptation. It is your life-line connection to Abba Father. Use it consistently.
- Spend time in the Word every day. I know you may feel you are too busy, trust me, I know the feeling. But even if you set aside just 15 minutes a day studying the Word, finding out what God says about, well, everything, it’s worth it. Before you know it, 15 minutes becomes a half hour… becomes and hour… Becomes a way of life you can’t imagine living without.
Be blessed this resurrection and Passover season as we celebrate God’s great love for us.
By the way, I did eventually meet Richard Marx at the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta ten years later! Yay!
In His Service,
Rebecca Hamilton, Founder/ Executive Director
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!