…that you may know what is
the hope of His calling… —Ephesians 1:18
{CHAMBERS} “Remember that you have been saved so that the life of
Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). […] You did not
do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it.
You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already
(Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence
that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy
person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved
and sanctified you. God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into
your life to see if you can jump over them properly— “By my God I can leap over
a wall” (Psalm 18:29). […] First Peter 4:12
says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you….” Rise to the
occasion— do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it
hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in
your body. May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality— a
readiness to face anything He brings our way. […] We are here to submit to His
will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He
will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish
others.”
{CHARLEY} Do you decide what
your Christian life should look like or do you allow God to do it? I know so many Christians who say the latter
and practice the former. Their lives have
the fragrance of the world and not Jesus. (2
Corinthians 2:15) “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who
are being saved and among those who are perishing” When people are around you do they see the
evidence of Jesus in your life. No one
knows you like your family … it is with the family that your true nature shines
through. If you were to ask them what
would they say? I am, well … amused but saddened at the same time when someone
I am with will catch their words. Mainly
men. They will start to use a profane
word, but catch it right before it comes out of their mouth and use another word
instead. I assume that it is not in deference
to me, but in deference to the One whom I serve. The thing is .. those words
came from their heart .. and were “spoken” before the sound was stifled. I don’t condemn them for it, but I do have
insight into where they are in their faith walk. That their hearts are not fully given to God.
Fulfilling our God-given purpose
should be what drives us .. motivates us .. Showing Jesus to the world through
a transformed life should be our goal and practice. Living by faith and not by
sight should be our way of life.
Salvation through faith in Jesus is not just a life event, like graduating
from high school. It should be the
essence of our life. And when you pass
through the lives of others, you should leave the fragrance of Christ. Like Peter and John … (Acts 4:13) “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and
realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they
took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
I pray that it could be said of you as well.
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