“God
has made us what we are,” that is an incredible statement, it takes all of the
fate and chance out of our daily lives and gives us an understanding of who we
truly are, we are God’s children who have a love of Christ residing within us.
Our union with Him has given us a unique perspective on life itself; it means
to be in Him while at the same time participating in good deeds, what "good deeds" is Paul speaking of here? His context is the grace that you have been saved by,
the good works (or deeds) are the changes that happen within the heart
of the child of God that is allowing the Holy Spirit to change them into
becoming more like Christ. It is when Christ has our life and started the
process of transformation, which is a lifelong process.
“Now all of us, with our faces unveiled, reflect the
glory of the Lord as if we are mirrors; and so we are being transformed,
metamorphosed, into His same image from one radiance of glory to another, just
as the Spirit of the Lord accomplishes it.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
(VOICE)
The Ephesian church that Paul was addressing was a powerful, potent church that knew Christ and was being transformed to reflect
Christ in surprising ways.
Another part of this transformation process is what
we do externally and how we interact with one another and with the world in
general. Even though we have a new home in the heavens with Jesus, we still are
a part of this world and the love of Christ compels us to reach out and share
what we have with others.
The gospel (good
news) of Jesus and His
transforming power is much too good to be kept to us ourselves, Jesus needs to
be shared with others not just is words, but in our actions also.
“Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack
in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes
particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that
take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.”
Hebrews 13:16 (MSG)
It is here where we ask the Lord to open opportunities
for us to interact with others and share the message of hope that others might
also find this same freedom in Christ Jesus.
These opportunities have already
been prepared (or predestined) for us to walk in, which is even beyond my
comprehension. God knew us even before we were even conceived what direction
our lives would take, and how, and if we would now walk out the scripts were
given before we were born amazing things would happen around us, people would
be inspired and healed by us being obedient to our calling.
Then I said, ‘I have come! (It is written about me in the
scroll of the book.) I have come to do what you want, my God.’”
Hebrews 10:7 (GW)
The writer of the book of Hebrews is quoting Psalm
40:7-8; other translations say, “It
is written about me in the volume of the book”. God’s plan for us has already been scripted out for
us to walk out before the world was even formed, the question is if we are
willing to trust the Lord and walk it out.
We have been given so much grace not only to be healed
ourselves; we have an abundance of grace available to us that we may be a
blessing to others. It is not about saving the world; it is about responding to
the Lord with what He has put in front of us; sometimes, that is just one person at
a time.
The key to becoming a person used by God to reach others is just being
teachable to what the Lord has to say and making ourselves available to the
opportunities put before us. It isn’t a big secret; it is relational
Christianity.
My hope that these blog posts have been an inspiration to
you, and have given you a sense that following Christ isn’t stuffy or weird,
but merely relational and loving as the Lord reveals to you that He loves you
and has great plans for your life. You have a place in the family of God; there is a
place prepared for you, and you are always welcome to come home.
Remember that Jesus has already received you with open
arms, which is His way was calling you home. All is forgiven, and a feast is
prepared for your arrival.
Access to this isn’t in the sweet by and by; this is
now, this is the reality Jesus wants you to experience with Him now while you
are reading this post.
Here is God’s final word on the subject:
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans
to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope
for.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)
Be Blessed;
Stephen Barnett
No comments:
Post a Comment