"Lifted Up"

 

    "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me" (John 12:32).

 

    The Lord Jesus Christ has been "lifted up" on the cross, by the resurrection, and in the ascension to His heavenly throne.

 

    It remains only that our Savior be lifted up in our lives.  Our attitudes, actions, words and relating to others must exalt the Lord Jesus.  "Whatsoever ye do... do all to the glory of God" commanded the Apostle Paul (I Corinthians 10:31).  Born again believers seek to direct attention away from ourselves and unto the only One worthy of honor and the only One who can redeem the hearts of others as He has redeemed our own.  "Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory!" (Psalm 115:1).

 

    The Holy Spirit who indwells our hearts was sent to glorify Christ and to testify of Him (John 15:26; 16:14).  As He lives in us, we will be led to find countless ways to emphasize the person, name and work of Christ, while de-emphasizing ourselves.  As promised, people will be drawn to the Lord Jesus by this "lifting up," and we will fulfill the reason for our existence.  There is no better way to live, and indeed, there is no other way to live.

 

"God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(Ephesians 2:9-11)