God's Plan

Often times, I hear people talk about God's plans as though they are something almost ethereal and impossible to understand.  In other words, we say "God's Plan" in the same way we would say, "I have no idea what is going on."  The problem with this kind of approach is that God explains His Plan to us so we will know what is going on, even when others do not.

"Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. (Acts 2:22-24 NIV)

Obviously, Jesus is the center point of God's plan, around which the rest of his plan revolves.  Jesus was sent because we needed help.  We were walking together with God in the Garden of Eden.  God wants us to know, though, that we are not forced to be there like prisoners but that we choose to be there like friends.  So, God gives us a choice.  When we choose to eat the forbidden fruit, we are kicked out of the Garden and separated from God.  We also receive the kind of life that goes along with those choices: suffering and death.

"Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. (Acts 2:29-32 NIV)

When Jesus rose from the dead, he proved to us all that he was God's chosen one (the Messiah, the Savior).  We are given the opportunity to come home to the Father through the Son.  We have the opportunity to return to the Garden, if you will.  We have a second chance to walk together with God.

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' (Acts 2:33-35 NIV)

Jesus now sits on his throne, high and exalted.  All the spiritual enemies who are battling against God and us are under his authority.  We don't see it yet, because he is still waiting.  He is waiting for more people to come home to the Father through the Son.  We, the ones who have already returned home, are being sent out to spread the good news.  We are God's team.  We have a mission.  We are sent to share with others, set the captives free, and bring them home to the Father through the Son.  We have been given the Holy Spirit of God to help us do just that.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:36-41 NIV)

I have a friend who just visited from out of town.  She gets this.  She completely understands God's plan and our part of it.  She is always talking to Jesus, singing songs of praise to God, and sharing Jesus with other people in her life.  When she talks about other people and her relationships with them, she always begins the description with, "He is a Christian...She is not a Christian...etc."  She knows the status of every person in her life.  She also knows she is called by God to encourage those who are already home and to bring those who are not home back to the Father through the Son.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47 NIV)

How about you?  Do you know God's Plan?  Do you know where you are in God's Plan?  Do you actively participate in God's Plan?  Do people come home to the Father, through the Son, and receive the Holy Spirit because you invited them?