Conquerors #3—Entrance to the Feast

To those who conquer their inclination to participate in the feasts and fornications of their culture, I will give some of the hidden manna, and a white stone on which will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it. Revelation 2:17

The passions and pleasures of our pasts can prevent us from participating in Christ’s promises if we don’t pursue those promises with all our hearts. We become a “new person” when we begin to follow Jesus, at least in part by gaining a wholly new perspective on life and a new energy for living life. And the life he modeled for us is worthy of our emulation because his life honored his Father. Just as Israel used the manna hidden in the ark of the covenant to remind them that God is their provider, we can trust Christ to provide what we need. We must abandon what we worshiped previously and avoid lifestyles that use people for pleasure rather than serving people because we are pleased by God. When we do, Jesus will recognize who we really are and invite each of us to enjoy the richness of his grace in intimate fellowship forever.

Glorious Lord, don’t let me be a “halfhearted creature, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered me. Don’t let me be “like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because I cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.” Don’t let me be “too easily pleased.”