"Live a cheerful life.." - Philippians 2:14-16a (TPT)

I chose Fred Rogers above as the model for this post, for he was a Presbyterian minister, and a man who prayed daily, he lived the faith he believed and demonstrated it before the world.

"Living a cheerful life" is not in the original text, but Paul assumes that we will be cheerful and joyful having Christ Jesus in the center of our lives. 

What Paul is making here is a point to avoid being dissatisfied and complaining about the situations we encounter, our situations help form our personal character and we grow in them. 

The word "division" in the text is the Greek word "dialogismos," which is a process of thinking within one's self and forming a thought or inward reasoning. Another way to describe this is a purposeful deliberation or argument about what is true. We all have situations where we debate within ourselves, whether the merits of going through a difficult situation is worth the effort. 

In the original language it says "we do all things," for there is nothing restricted from our experiences which honors Christ, we can live a full life within the blessings of God and recognize that Christ resides in everything we do and encounter, even in the frustrating things we can learn to find contentment and peace. 

For it is through these things our attitude is on full display for all to see, showing everyone around us that we are children of God. 

The Passion translation takes it even further by saying we are seen as "innocent, faultless, and pure." That puts us in a frame of mind that trusts God for every outcome instead of being controlled by fate and the luck of the draw. 

"I am convinced that any suffering we endure is less than nothing compared to the magnitude of glory that is about to be unveiled within us." Romans 8:18 (TPT)

We have been washed clean and pure by the blood of Christ, and that washing is perpetual, not temporary, so there is nothing that can detract us from our eternal destiny of being Children of the living God. 

We live in "a brutal and perverse culture," it hasn't changed since the time of Jesus, it has only become more deceptive for evil tries to hide amongst good intentions. 

The perverseness can be seen clearly through our political talking points; it is when we make an outward stand for Christ that the attacks come against us with great vigor.

"My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things." 

James 1:2-3 (TPT)

It is when we stand in the fullness of Christ and His righteousness that others begin to see the shining presence of God in and all around us. Just as the glimmering presence of Christ is on display before us, we have Him living inside of us, transforming us and making us more like Himself. 

Some will receive what you have to offer concerning life in Christ, and others will be offended because of the condemnation of their personal choices in life and will not accept what you have to say. Each person reacts from the spirit that resides within them, either rejecting or receiving what you represent.

 "For God, who said, "Let brilliant light shine out of darkness," is the one who has cascaded his light into us—the brilliant dawning light of the glorious knowledge of God as we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ. We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that the extraordinary overflow of power will be seen as God's, not ours." 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (TPT)

We do have the words of hope for anyone who will receive it, but even more than that, we have the words of life for all of creation too. 

We can speak life to those with a sickness that they may receive healing; we are not limited to just restoring people; we can speak words of life into this broken world to restore order and purpose. 

We are tasked with restoring order to all of God's creation, which involves this world and even the universe itself. It sounds like a tremendous job, but we are like the stars in the sky, eternal luminaries that reflect Christ into the Cosmos, so the scripture says of us. 

Our perspective is God's perspective, for we serve a really big God, and He has put all creation into our hands to be its caretakers; in fact, we are told to have dominion over creation itself. The definition of Dominion is Sovereign or supreme authority; the power of governing and controlling; this is all done in concert with Christ.

I do not espouse or condone Dominion theology, which seeks to institute a nation governed by Christians based on the understandings of biblical law, that would be a backward step.  I only want to be led forward by and follow Christ alone.  I don't want to live in a biblical world, I want to live in a Christlike world.

There is so much more about Christ that has yet to be revealed, there is so much more for us to walk in total and complete victory in all things. We have only scratched the surface, but we have this confidence:

"Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way." 

Proverbs 3:6 

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett