Jesus Christ Himself said, ‘I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life’ (John 5.24).

The verb tenses in the verse quoted above are significant. We already have eternal life; we have already crossed over into life. Eternal life is not a future thing we hope we might enter – it is a present thing we have entered – hallelujah! When we trust in Christ, however faltering our words; we have eternal life.

No wonder the apostle Paul is very bold. Based on the truth that we already have eternal life, he announces that we are already saints, ready for heaven. We are already seated  ”in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2.6).

Now we must become what we already are!

Paul makes three outrageous statements (2 Cor 3.18):

• we all reflect the Lord’s glory;
• we are being transformed into His likeness;
• with ever-increasing glory.

Hymn writers have tried to communicate these mind-blowing statements. Two well-known examples:

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.       (Charles Wesley)

As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me                  (Graham Kendrick)

Our call to become what we already are means we seek to live the way of life in Christ Jesus, applying His life and example, working out the principles of the New Testament in the context in which God has placed us. As someone put it, this is our ‘eternal journey of exploration and wonder.’

Our goal is likeness to Christ – ‘to be conformed to the likeness of His Son’ (Rom 8.29). The guarantee is that the goal will be achieved.

The gospel of Jesus Christ introduced a new way of life, not merely a new, nor even improved, Jewish religion!

One issue that arose in the first century which is addressed several times in the NT is the tendency to revert to the way of Moses. See the meeting of apostles and other leaders in Acts 15 and the letter to the Galatians.

The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Church in Corinth, highlights a wonderful aspect of our new faith, that of access to God. He also addresses influences in the Church that had begun to undermine that truth.  Indeed, some had come into the Church to try to re-impose the law of Moses.

In chapter 3, Paul provides a series of contrasts between the Old Covenant under Moses, and the New Covenant in Christ:

• The letter kills v the Spirit gives life (v6)
• Condemnation v righteousness (v9)
• Fading/transitory v permanent (v11)
• The face of Moses (v13) v the face of Jesus Christ (4.6)
• A veil v a mirror (v16-18)
• Hard hearts & dull minds v ever-increasing glory (v13, 18)

Two points to mention:

1. Paul picked an incident from the OT where the glory of God shone in Moses face. Moses had returned from receiving the two tablets of Ten Commandments- his face was shining – people were afraid to come near – Moses had to put a veil on. Surely this incident would demonstrate the enduring value of the OT law! Yet Paul points out that the problem is not that his face shone, but that the radiance of his shining face was fading away, (v7, v13). Even at its best, the law is a fading thing.
2. The Old Covenant was full of barriers – in the tabernacle, constructed shortly after the giving of the Law. There was a curtain (Ex 27.16) at the entrance to the courtyard; another curtain (Ex 26.36) at the entrance to the tabernacle; and then the veil (Ex 26.31) to separate the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. All three barriers declared; ‘you can’t come in!’

All man-made religion brings barriers. As Paul describes, there is a veil of unbelief. The OT law of Moses is obsolete, no longer the basis of our access to the Father.

Through Christ everything changed. When He died the veil, the final barrier, was torn from top to bottom. God Himself announced; the veil is removed, all barriers are torn down.

Christ Himself, dying with arms out-stretched on a cross; as if to welcome any who will trust in Him and come in.

The OT declared ‘you cannot come in.’ The message of Christ in the NT announces; ‘welcome.’ And Paul goes further; we can approach boldly and with confidence.

There is a helpful phrase which appears in the Song of Solomon:

“My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyard; my own vineyard I have neglected.” (Song of Sol 1.6)

The writer, in the narrative, comments that she has neglected her own vineyard. There were other duties and responsibilities, but she had left undone something which she should have done.

My interpretation of this is that we should be faithful in what God has put on our hearts; do that one thing and do it well.  There are many ‘worthy causes,’ which can demand our attention and commitment. A moment’s thought will tell us that, if we spread ourselves too thinly, we become ineffective at everything.

It is different for Jesus Christ, for “the government will be on His shoulder” (Is 9.6-7). Of the increase of His government there be no end; He will accomplish what He has promised, and His zeal will ensure all is put right it His time.

For us, there are simply too many injustices for any of us to fight all of them. We can easily become overwhelmed. Even to try to learn about more than a few major injustices can reduce us to impotence and discouragement.

Don’t do nothing

Towards the end of Christ’s life, He was anointed by a poor woman (Matt 26.6-13). Judas Iscariot seems to have led the objections to this simple act. However, Jesus Himself commended the woman and promised that “wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world,” this story would persevere. And it has.

In a different context, Jewish farmers were instructed not to harvest to the very corners of their fields, leaving portions for the poor (Deut 24.19-22).

Such acts, of themselves, seem insignificant. But all are noticed in heaven. And somehow, in God’s economy, where good is weighed not counted, there is a real difference.

The call to fight

In my reading, I noticed a number of public figures who have, in each case, focused on a single issue. As a result they have seen real change.

Although William Wilberforce was involved in many matters, his work to see slavery abolished occupied decades of his life.

Having left his music career, Fergal Sharkey has concentrated on injustice surrounding supply of water in the UK. His depth of knowledge has ensured the matter has been brought to public attention. At the time of writing, some progress is being made on a number of issues.

Rosie Duffield, MP, gave a powerful speech on the House of Commons on the subject of domestic abuse, having suffered at the hands of her first husband (see Wikipedia entry). She has spoken out repeatedly on this matter.

Climate activist Vanessa Nakate has become increasingly vocal on environmental matters. A Christian voice in her native Uganda, she has gained an international reputation on this crucial subject.

‘Not every battle is meant for you. Not every issue deserves your time. Be faithful in what God has asked of you.’  (Rachel Joy Welcher, Author)

There is certainly wisdom in giving ourselves wholeheartedly to one issue, rather than trying to sort out the whole world – that responsibility belongs to the Lord of lords!