Survival of the Fitted

(10-9-05)

Romans 9:22-26

Jesus has called each of you into His Fathers Kingdom for His purposes. Each of you is held in His vision to fulfill a particular mission and He has made all the arrangements for everything you will need to its accomplishment. (example – to go on a safari one must be properly outfitted in order to survive)

Jesus as our head teacher has shown us wonderful things about being properly fitted. (Heb.10:5-7) He also demonstrates the right attitude for His disciples to strive for. Jesus was fitted for survival. (you might say – ‘yea but He died’ – true but death did not take Him, He gave himself over to it and it could not keep it’s hold on Him) Survival is not narrowly limited to this life only.

In the lesson text Paul speaks of being prepared (fitted) for destruction verse 22 and prepared (made in advance for) for glory verse 23. One is shaped by choice and circumstance and the other is positionally inherent. We each have been prepared in advance (positional) for God’s glory and by our own hearts determine how we will be prepared or fitted. We will be fitted either for destruction or for life and glory.

Do you think of yourself as a Christian? Do you think of yourself as a saint? How about as a disciple? All three are correct if you have been saved and are in fact in Christ. Paul tells us to have the same attitude as Jesus. (Phil.2:5-11) If we are to have the same attitude as Jesus then we also should submit to the outfitting Jesus has provided for each of our own treks in life, on earth. Jesus submitted to his fitting. (our example) [see 1Pet.4:1-7 "arm yourselves also with the same attitude,.." ]

I love the writer of the book of Hebrew’s prayer for it’s recipients (Heb.13:20-21) He knew how important to survival the proper outfitting was. It is wise to be equipped for what life yet lies ahead. Paul understood the need. He knew that just being in Christ was inadequate. (1Thes.3:10)

How confusing would a football game be if everyone was wearing something different? Each team is outfitted with what they need to survive and win. Paul appealed to the Corinthian Church to be all of the same mind and all in agreement with each other, to be ‘perfectly united in mind’. (1Cor.1:10) [His word choice for perfectly united is the word for fitted]

As Christians who want to be pleasing to their Lord and master, let us look to what we can do to better fit ourselves for what lies ahead. The first obstacle to overcome is attitude. How important is being a Christian to you? (see 2Tim.2:1-7)

Second, with a desire to grow and be effective, submit to the working hand of Jesus. Let Him do in you what He desires for you to be for Him, and for us. Is it wise for the pot to say to the potter – ‘that’s not what I want to be’?

Third, pray for the equipping you need so that you will be able to succeed in what you are called to accomplish. Pray earnestly for each other also in these mater. Finally, gather together in study.