HAVE YOU BEEN BORN IN ZION?
Psalm 87 in seven verses speaks three times of “this one was born in Zion”. There are many interpretations to what Zion was in the Psalmist’s mind . Some say, the city of Jerusalem, others a hill in the region there, and so on. Let us take this beautiful Psalm and pass it through the cross, and apply New Covenant principles to it. Let me first remind you of a great hymn that isn’t sung much these days.
1 Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God.
God, whose word cannot be broken,
formed thee for his own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
thou may’st smile at all thy foes.
2 See, the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river
ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
never fails from age to age.
3 Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which God gives them when on their way.
4 Savior, since of Zion’s city
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in your name.
Fading are the world’s best pleasures,
all its boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasures
none but Zion’s children know.
There is so much more to the meaning of Zion that it’s geographic and historic position. I believe we can apply this truth to us, so here are some questions for you ?
ARE YOU TRULY BORN AGAIN?
Do you know you have eternal life NOW? Is it well with your soul ? Has the blood of Jesus Christ washed your life clean from sin and unrighteousness ?
DO YOU WANT TO SIMPLY LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD?
ARE YOU A TRUE WORSHIPPER OF JESUS?
Zion sure speaks of relationship with God , and that we come and worship Him. In verse 7 “Both the singers and the players of instruments say ALL MY SPRINGS ARE IN YOU”.
If you are “BORN IN ZION”
You know in whom you have believed and am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels no principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of god which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. You just want to live and walk in the Spirit, and bow down and worship (to kiss, to love and adore) Jesus.
Some new believers have this experience for a short time after they are born again, but soon “it seems to wear off” Jesus describes it as “leaving our first love”.
WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?
THE MAIN REASON IS THE LACK OF BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP.
I have been chatting to a Missionary friend this morning on Facebook, as he had written a post regarding THE GREAT OMISSION (my words) from THE GREAT COMMISSION. To make disciples. THIS MUST BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY, AND TO MAKE DISCIPLEMAKERS.
I wonder if I can hear some of my readers saying John has only one string in his bow, and that is the need of Biblical Discipleship. I am unashamed that like Jesus prayed in John 17 I do not want any to be lost His prayer was “that none would be lost”. We all know we bring a lot of baggage with us into our new Christian experience, and instead of people struggling for years to breakthrough with Biblical Discipleship they can move quickly to that place of victory, and purity and holiness.They do not have to lose their joy and peace, they do not have to leave their first love. If I am correct then many of God’s leaders are going to have to stand before the Lord on judgement day and confess they didn’t do it right. It maybe they were never discipled, or it would be too time consuming. The list of excuses will go on and on.
IF WE WANT QUALITY DISCIPLES WE MUST DO IT THE BIBLE WAY!!!!
So I started this blog, asking the question “Have you been born in Zion”? I trust you can answer yes, and that your were Biblically discipled, and you continued to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. so the final question is.
HAVE YOU BECOME A DISCIPLEMAKER?
I trust you can say a loud yes, and you can think positively about those you have invested in and have seen them learn to LIVE IN ZION.
Today is Saturday here, prepare your hearts to go to the House of God to worship with the Singers and Musicians and say to the Lord ALL MY SPRINGS ARE IN YOU.
