Do we ever judge other people when they miss the mark? Paul warns about this type of attitude in Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." That is love, baby! :-) Awesome!
The truth of the matter is this. Even though we are saints, born with a new heart as a new creation, we are all still capable of missing the mark. As we all struggle with desires of the flesh (self-effort) during transformation, let's cut each other some slack and realize that God continues to be revealed in each of our lives.
The truth of the matter is this. Even though we are saints, born with a new heart as a new creation, we are all still capable of missing the mark. As we all struggle with desires of the flesh (self-effort) during transformation, let's cut each other some slack and realize that God continues to be revealed in each of our lives.
Christ has come to live inside each of us through the person of the Holy Spirit, and He has left us with a promise. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
This work is completed by the manifestation of the life that already dwells inside us. We will be conformed to the image of His Son. Notice it is the life that is already inside us, not God completing the work, or our self-efforts completing the work. We are not saying, thanks God, we got it from here. He started it and He finished it! The work is already finished. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. We are already seated at the right hand of the Father. What a great picture of rest. It is the manifestation of the life of Christ inside of us that transforms our behavior to the image of the Son. Amen!
Even when we struggle with the desires of the flesh, the life of Christ is still manifesting in our lives. Our struggles do not surprise, frustrate or disappoint Him. He already knows what we are going to do before we do it, and He has no expectation or confidence in our flesh. :-) He lives in us, and whether we struggle or not, we continue to be conformed to His image.
The renewal of the mind is the part of the transformation process that changes our desires to His desires. This ocurs throught the revelation of His love. It does not happen immediately.
This work is completed by the manifestation of the life that already dwells inside us. We will be conformed to the image of His Son. Notice it is the life that is already inside us, not God completing the work, or our self-efforts completing the work. We are not saying, thanks God, we got it from here. He started it and He finished it! The work is already finished. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. We are already seated at the right hand of the Father. What a great picture of rest. It is the manifestation of the life of Christ inside of us that transforms our behavior to the image of the Son. Amen!
Even when we struggle with the desires of the flesh, the life of Christ is still manifesting in our lives. Our struggles do not surprise, frustrate or disappoint Him. He already knows what we are going to do before we do it, and He has no expectation or confidence in our flesh. :-) He lives in us, and whether we struggle or not, we continue to be conformed to His image.
The renewal of the mind is the part of the transformation process that changes our desires to His desires. This ocurs throught the revelation of His love. It does not happen immediately.
Imagine walking through a field of orange trees or any other kind of fruit that you want to imagine. You may notice some orange trees that have a lot of fruit or some with just some fruit or maybe even some without any fruit. Now, picture yourself picking off one of the oranges that is still green and smaller than the size of a golf ball. Would we call it a 'green' since that is its color and it does not look like an orange yet? Or would we still call it an orange that has not fully matured?
We have been made complete and perfect in Christ. We are completely forgiven, fully redeemed, spiritually alive, and we rest in the righteousness of Christ for eternity. We are saints. We are holy! We are seated at the right hand of the Father. There is nothing we can do or not do to be separated from Him and His love.
We have been made complete and perfect in Christ. We are completely forgiven, fully redeemed, spiritually alive, and we rest in the righteousness of Christ for eternity. We are saints. We are holy! We are seated at the right hand of the Father. There is nothing we can do or not do to be separated from Him and His love.
Are we perfectly mature? No. Even though we are aware of the sometimes difficult process of growth, He sees us as already there. Let's be more tolerant and forgiving of each other while the life inside of us manifests and bears the fruit of the Spirit. We are still oranges whether there are big, juicy oranges on our branches or we are just starting to flower out with the fragrance of Christ.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;"
God will never love you more or less than He does right at this very moment. To God, we smell like Christ! To God, we are as He is in this world! We are sons and daughters of God. Amen! :-)
That is a truth that can set you free!
Thank you, Jesus! :-)
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;"
God will never love you more or less than He does right at this very moment. To God, we smell like Christ! To God, we are as He is in this world! We are sons and daughters of God. Amen! :-)
That is a truth that can set you free!
Thank you, Jesus! :-)
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