by David Brenneman
"Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you." 2 Peter 1:1-11.
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." John 15:16.
"He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; Then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?” Declares the Lord." Jeremiah 22:16
I pray that I never cease to be amazed at what and how these posts come into my mind after reading my Bible and the Spirit brings passage upon passage to mind. I say this because it IS amazing to me in that I don't know how to memorize Scripture. What comes to my mind regarding it can only be something of the Spirit of God in me. I do have to look up the full passage but enough is there for me to do so every single time and every single day for now well over 5 years and over 220,000 views worldwide.
A life in Godliness is for each and every one who's come to Christ for salvation. A life that from the very beginning is transformed, the process of sanctification having began in their lives. It IS a process.
We come to Christ from all walks of life. From all corners of the world. From every type of background and culture. Yet the Spirit has no problem with molding such people into the likeness of God in Christ Jesus.
The world seeks hope on their own terms. Yet all that it bears fruit to is hopelessness. Nothing endures.
A life in Christ is a life built on hope.
A life in Christ is one of Godliness, of holiness. It's as interesting as it is in need of being intentional.
I heard something recently use the phrase "Spirit Radar" in that those in Christ have little difficulty in seeking out those nearby who are Believers.
The words to "Trust and Obey" come to mind. "When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, never fear only trust and obey."
While we might have different ideas and definitions of what a friend or an acquaintance looks like, in Christ, a life in Godliness all looks the same.
I have seen people even in the various places that I have lived have different views on what constitutes a friend or acquaintance. Mine probably differ from yours. In Christ there is just Christ. A people beloved of the Father through Jesus the Son. Which brings to mind the grand old hymn "Praise the Lord!"
We do not yet see what a fully sanctified life looks like. We all have much in the way of baggage to shed on our way. We have preconceived notions to leave behind. We have hurt feelings to let go of. We have false teachings to weed out. We have pride issues that we've not come to grips with in each of us. We have practiced sins that we've not put at the feet of Jesus to deal with. Practiced sin that we're not inclined to admit ARE practiced sin. We have habits that need replaced with Godly habits. We have roots of bitterness, roots of idolatry, roots that are connected to our sin nature. A life in Godliness in Christ Jesus sheds light on these things. When the Spirit helps you and I to identify these, then it's time to address those things, not dismissing them, not brushing them under a rug.
In your life that is right now...are you really and truly walking in Christ as you should be? Or have you settled for your idea of contentment instead? The Bible says that He came not only to give you life, but life more abundant. Jesus, throughout His painful explanations to His chosen people in the Old Testament, tried to show them the futility of their way of thinking. We're also going to be shown the futility of our own way of thinking in order to bring about a life in Godliness in Christ Jesus the way that the Spirit needs to do.
Do you want whatever Jesus wants for you or have you put a hand up to stay His hand in your life? Telling Him that you're ok. You have enough? Are you satisfied with Jesus or are you still looking for something to fill that void in your life because you haven't been satisfied with Him?
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Jesus in every single day and way of His life here on Earth did just that. Seeking His Father's will every day. Seeking first His Kingdom. Jesus said in His model for prayer...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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