whilst or after? it does matter

The Heidelberg Catechism Q32 answers the question, "why are you called a Christian?", this way - "because I am a member of Christ by faith, and thus am a partaker of His anointing, that I may confess His name and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him ...." This is very good and the catechism should stop RIGHT HERE, but it doesn't. It goes on to add, "and that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life and AFTERWARD reign with Him eternally over all creatures."

What's your impression of this last part? Is our role as a Christian to "fight against sin and Satan?" Is that how you see your life? How does that role compare to the life of testimony to His name, of Thanksgiving and of fellowshiping with His anointing? Doesn't the joy, hope, freedom and significance kinda get stomped on as I see myself in a fight and the reward is after I die? Is this what we too often receive from the pulpit? I have often heard the preacher say, "fight the good fight on earth so that when you die, you'll go to Heaven."

Ay yi yi yo yo - sounds like an exchange to me. Is this what Jesus says to us in His word? I don't think so. He says "I have come so that you may ahve joy and that your joy may be full". He says "do not fear for your Father has chosen gladly to give you His Kingdom." He says I am the truth and the truth shall set you free." NOW, not LATER.

Apostle Paul tells us that yes we are 'in Christ", NOW, not LATER. "old things have passed away and behold all things have become NEW." NOW, not LATER. Paul said "but God ..... made us alive together with Christ and made us sit together in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. " NOW, not LATER.

Don't let well intended but ill informed pastors convince you of the last part of this catechism. Ask him to please stop after the first part. The Christian resides in the Kingdom, NOW, not LATER. While Satan and our flesh sometimes constrain us from experiencing the blessings of Grace, the fight has been won. NOW, not LATER. The joy, freedom, significance, and hope of a Christian is not in his fight, but in his faith. Our eternal reign is not AFTER we die, but NOW as we live.

Don't let bad doctrine rob you of the blessings of God. Paul says "Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every Spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."  The first blessing is our adoration and worship toward God (we "Bless God"). The second "blessed" is that God has "bestowed" on us - blessed us with what? "EVERY Spiritual blessing in the heavenly places", which is all the provisions and privileges of the Heavenlies. Paul is not saying AFTER you duke it out here with Satan and die, you can have this. He says this is NOW your reality as a Christian.

IN thanksgiving, live this reality out, right where you are - NOW, not LATER.

something to ponder .......