by David Brenneman
"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:4-21.
Some like or even love "Bible" to mean "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth".
There's more to it than just the basics. It contains everything pertaining to life in Christ Jesus in all godliness. A life approved in Christ.
Temptations the world over exist to take shortcuts to living a life in Christ. Countless books written on how to "just do this and you won't have to do that" kind of thinking.
What's of great concern is being on the lookout for our walk with Jesus being what it should be, not what we think it should look like. Of being ever watchful of the apostasy that the Bible says is GOING to infiltrate the Church.
We have to be living life in Christ in the way that the Scriptures say, not necessarily what people say, it should look like.
If our endeavors aren't glorifying God why are we pursuing them? If what we do is potentially sacrilege why are we risking it?
Am reminded of something I read the other day of how much and how often people's prayers are wrapped around God getting them out of situations rather than seeing them through them. Of how what God brings into our lives is meant to change us for the better in Christ.
We are part of His body if indeed we are in Christ. Yet people do try to create divisions within it where the Spirit says there are none to be had.
We aren't looking deeper into the things of God that make for growing in Christ because they will mean we need to change.
We would rather see those around us happy, at times, than our Savior who wouldn't be pleased with what we've embraced in life.
Scripture says to examine ourselves to see if we're really in Christ. Looking for the fingerprints of God on us.
The Way is supposed to be different.
The Way is going to be the less traveled road because the world isn't traveling it. The world is on the fast-track to Hell.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14.
Would a Godly review of our life reveal how well its interwoven with Jesus or would there really be a severe absence of Him?
Are you looking forward in your days to your walking with Jesus or to what you will accomplish for you?
The narrow road is ours to walk.
A life in Christ is meant to and is supposed to be different.
When Jesus reviews your life it will be what you did from your heart for Him that was in accordance with the instructions you were given through the Spirit that you obeyed in that will matter.
Which road are you on?
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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