Over the past five months I've been digging deep in the Word, searching answers to questions and themes such as: spiritual gifts, treasures in Heaven, the character of Christ, the Christians purpose, and right now I'm looking deeply into Paul's letters to the churches.
Due to the world's political decisions, I continue to be bombarded with questions regarding our role as Christians. Do we stand idle? Do we fight? Is this persecution? What do we do?
First all of all, one theme throughout God's Word continues to come back to me and these stem from Christ's focus (spoken through Paul) on how a Christian should live. Galatians 5:19-35 talks about what character we should not display and what our character should be and can be through Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just before these verses Paul talks about how we are no longer under the "law" meaning we cannot be saved through our own behavior, choices and actions, but only through the Spirits leading can we be free from the bondage of sin. Only through the Spirit can we display the "fruits of the Spirit".
Why should we thrive to allow the Spirit to lead in our lives and WHY should I want to display these characteristics? What does it gain?
And this, to me, is the ultimate question! What is the purpose? " Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23a. Why? Why can't I be who I am? Why does God call me to step out from myself and be something that is not "in my nature"?
Because He wants me to be so much more! He wants me to be His vessel in reaching others for Him. I cannot reach others if I'm afraid to speak, condemning them of their sin as though I have none, being so busy in my life that I don't have time for people, hiding behind my own insecurities and doubting my purpose for Him by allowing Satan to tell me that I have nothing to offer others.
Our sole purpose is to show others the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. If what we say or do about political issues and "sin" in others lives will be at the cost of saving a life through Jesus Christ then I question the motive and if in fact the action is led by God. Yes, Jesus got upset and let others know of their sin. He flipped tables in the temple, a place of prayer, a place of Holiness. He didn't burn it down, blow it up, curse them, or cast them out because of their actions. He said STOP IT! Then he moved on to do the work of His Father. Healing and sharing the gospel.
In all my studies, I'm continuously brought back to the question, what is my purpose? If and when persecution comes to me as it did to the disciples, why will I be persecuted? I believe it's not about HOW I lived in my private life, but HOW I served Him in His purpose in my life, which I believe is the same for every believer; I MUST share the gift of eternal life with others. I must share the freedom that is in His Spirit. Power over sin, power over death and the power of Joy. A joy that is only found through Jesus Christ. A hope that I'm never alone, a hope in sorrow, pain and even a hope that is found during this earthly death.
If I do anything, it must always be done in a manner of love. Yes, there is sin in this world, yes, it needs correction, but I believe more correction can be made through the actions of love and forgiveness than through the actions of anger, pain, frustration, ignorance and pride.
There are always consequences for our sins, for the believer and unbeliever alike, we feel the consequences for our sin in this life. For the unbeliever, the consequence is also eternal hell. For the Christian, a missing out on all the blessings that God has stored for us in heaven. Our sin will lessen our blessings, but praise God that my sins are forgiven.
So, what does the Bible say is my purpose as a believer in Jesus Christ? To serve Him by reaching others FOR Christ. Assuring that our actions are NOT turning others away from Him. This can only be accomplished by the fruits of the Spirit.
By the way, we are to be Christ-like. Have you studied the character of Christ? Hint: He reflected the fruits of the Spirit during His walk on earth.
Lord, use me today and help me to be more like you. You always put others before your own needs, even before food, because you trusted that your Father in heaven would take care of your physical needs as you took care of the Spiritual needs of others. Helps me to step out of my earthly character and become more like you every day. You were honest, open, loving, forgiving, merciful and full of grace. Thank you for loving me, the unlovable. Thank you for dying on the cross, a gruesome painful death, so that I do not have to suffer the awful and grotesque fiery pit of hell. Thank you Jesus! Help me to see the hurting around me. Help me to give of myself for others. Help me to be present with each person I'm with regardless of my own weariness or business. Let others always know they are important to me just as every person is important to You. Thank you Jesus. In Christ Jesus, Amen!
Due to the world's political decisions, I continue to be bombarded with questions regarding our role as Christians. Do we stand idle? Do we fight? Is this persecution? What do we do?
First all of all, one theme throughout God's Word continues to come back to me and these stem from Christ's focus (spoken through Paul) on how a Christian should live. Galatians 5:19-35 talks about what character we should not display and what our character should be and can be through Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just before these verses Paul talks about how we are no longer under the "law" meaning we cannot be saved through our own behavior, choices and actions, but only through the Spirits leading can we be free from the bondage of sin. Only through the Spirit can we display the "fruits of the Spirit".
Why should we thrive to allow the Spirit to lead in our lives and WHY should I want to display these characteristics? What does it gain?
And this, to me, is the ultimate question! What is the purpose? " Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23a. Why? Why can't I be who I am? Why does God call me to step out from myself and be something that is not "in my nature"?
Because He wants me to be so much more! He wants me to be His vessel in reaching others for Him. I cannot reach others if I'm afraid to speak, condemning them of their sin as though I have none, being so busy in my life that I don't have time for people, hiding behind my own insecurities and doubting my purpose for Him by allowing Satan to tell me that I have nothing to offer others.
Our sole purpose is to show others the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. If what we say or do about political issues and "sin" in others lives will be at the cost of saving a life through Jesus Christ then I question the motive and if in fact the action is led by God. Yes, Jesus got upset and let others know of their sin. He flipped tables in the temple, a place of prayer, a place of Holiness. He didn't burn it down, blow it up, curse them, or cast them out because of their actions. He said STOP IT! Then he moved on to do the work of His Father. Healing and sharing the gospel.
In all my studies, I'm continuously brought back to the question, what is my purpose? If and when persecution comes to me as it did to the disciples, why will I be persecuted? I believe it's not about HOW I lived in my private life, but HOW I served Him in His purpose in my life, which I believe is the same for every believer; I MUST share the gift of eternal life with others. I must share the freedom that is in His Spirit. Power over sin, power over death and the power of Joy. A joy that is only found through Jesus Christ. A hope that I'm never alone, a hope in sorrow, pain and even a hope that is found during this earthly death.
If I do anything, it must always be done in a manner of love. Yes, there is sin in this world, yes, it needs correction, but I believe more correction can be made through the actions of love and forgiveness than through the actions of anger, pain, frustration, ignorance and pride.
There are always consequences for our sins, for the believer and unbeliever alike, we feel the consequences for our sin in this life. For the unbeliever, the consequence is also eternal hell. For the Christian, a missing out on all the blessings that God has stored for us in heaven. Our sin will lessen our blessings, but praise God that my sins are forgiven.
So, what does the Bible say is my purpose as a believer in Jesus Christ? To serve Him by reaching others FOR Christ. Assuring that our actions are NOT turning others away from Him. This can only be accomplished by the fruits of the Spirit.
By the way, we are to be Christ-like. Have you studied the character of Christ? Hint: He reflected the fruits of the Spirit during His walk on earth.
Lord, use me today and help me to be more like you. You always put others before your own needs, even before food, because you trusted that your Father in heaven would take care of your physical needs as you took care of the Spiritual needs of others. Helps me to step out of my earthly character and become more like you every day. You were honest, open, loving, forgiving, merciful and full of grace. Thank you for loving me, the unlovable. Thank you for dying on the cross, a gruesome painful death, so that I do not have to suffer the awful and grotesque fiery pit of hell. Thank you Jesus! Help me to see the hurting around me. Help me to give of myself for others. Help me to be present with each person I'm with regardless of my own weariness or business. Let others always know they are important to me just as every person is important to You. Thank you Jesus. In Christ Jesus, Amen!
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