"His Own"

"Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

 

Yesterday the words to a hymn that I haven't heard in years continued to ring over and over in my thoughts. "When Jesus returns for His own, and carries us up to His throne, there’ll be no more sadness, but all will be gladness, when Jesus returns for His own."

 

The words that stuck out to me where, "When Jesus returns for His own". One day Jesus will return to earth. He will return and take His children home. He is coming for His own. Contrary to what many want to believe not everyone is "His own". (Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.)

 

Who are "His own" that He will return for? It is not everyone who thinks they are. He is not coming for those who are religious but they neglect a relationship with Him. He is not coming for the church attendee who, although he sets on a pew week after week, does not follow Jesus and His word. He is not coming for those who are self-centered, but He is coming for those who center their lives around Him. He is not coming for those who seek only to please themselves, but He is coming for those who seek to please Him. (And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?) 

 

He is not coming for a stranger. (Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.) He will not take them home. He will not take into His home to live with Him for an eternity those that He does not know. 

 

He is coming for His family-- to take them home. Those who have been "born again"-- born into the family of God. (Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.) He is coming for His own children, (But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.) not for someone else's children. (Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.)

 

Does He know you this morning? Are you simply religious in acts and deeds or do you have a personal relationship with Him? Are you following Him with your whole heart? Are you living in obedience or rebellion to His commands? Are you self-center (life is all about you and what makes you happy), or are you Christ-centered? He will return and gather His own to Himself, will you be among them?

 

Have a great day. Jesus will return one day and take His own children home to live with Him forever. Make sure you are one of them. 

 

For further reading:

Matthew 7:14,22,23

Luke 6:46

John 3:5,6; 1:12; 8:44

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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