by David Brenneman
"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 12:9-21.
"Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:11-12.
I have been lead to write in the past of the conduct of Believers and today seems to be more of the same. What are we doing in living our lives that isn't glorifying God? What behaviors do we display that are actually dishonorable to our Lord Jesus Christ? What do we 'enjoy' in our lives that shouldn't be there, that we haven't lifted a finger to deal with? We all have these areas. We all are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.
The question is: are you in agreement with Jesus through His Spirit when He illuminates these things or do you dismiss or argue with Him about them?
We are prone to various levels of pride in keeping what's possible in our sinful world that we've convinced ourselves that isn't bad.
But in doing so we dishonor God rather than obey God.
We have the pattern in the Scriptures of what a Disciple of Jesus Christ is to be like. We have the assurance that if we bring these things that we finally acknowledge shouldn't be in our hearts and minds that He will help us deal with them.
The hard core part of living a life that's an approved life in Christ is to want what He wants for you and from you. Even if it's something you don't particularly want in your life at the moment.
As I have read, on and off, concerning adversity in the last 8 months...nobody wants it but it's a necessity to growing in Christ.
That is a huge part of displaying what Paul told Timothy that we read. It's right there in what Paul wrote in Romans.
The more we want what God wants for us the more is likely to be removed from our lives to make room for those things. As many probably heard growing up...clean your plate if you want more of something or if you want dessert.
Nobody going through the harshness of basic training really relishes all the physical pain and suffering they go through, but when they begin to see what it profits them they begin to understand the why.
Nobody who's never run a race really understands what goes into the results that the scoreboard shows unless they have been there done that for themselves.
We cannot know what is in store for us that God has planned for us unless we let go of what we hold onto and submit to His purpose and plan for us.
We have our instructions to living a truly Godly life in Christ Jesus...but are we taking it all in? Are we going to stand before Jesus having obeyed or having disobeyed His instructions for us?
Yes it's probable that we will have to give up some things in life. But isn't what God wants for you more important?
These things in our lives that we might be holding on too tightly to...they will indeed turn to ashes as the Scriptures say. Anything or anyone who's been put higher than Jesus in our hearts will be dealt with.
Take time today to look at your life and see if there is any wicked way in you that you're denying is what it is. Ask Jesus to show you if there is any in your life and to lead you to the righteous life that He desires for you.
We all are immersed in the evils of our day. We all have a fight on our hands to stay right and true before our God. We are being arrogant if we say that we're ok. Nobody has overcome to the extent that they don't need prayer to stay on the path of righteousness. As a song of Charlie Pride says "you'll find all kinds of exits" on this highway that leads to glory. Temptations abound and are wrapped up in bows and fancy wrapping paper.
My sin nature shouldn't be trusted to stay out of the way in my walk with Jesus because I would be fooling myself if I thought for a second that it would.
Paul counted everything as loss in order to know Jesus more.
Are you dedicated to living life with Jesus as your highest priority? Does what you do and have in your life reflect that? Does your reactions to life reflect that?
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Psalms 139:23-24.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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