Thursday, June 11, 2020

"...forgiving one another..." - Colossians 3:13 (TPT)

Paul is making a plea to followers of Christ to stand firm with others who are also standing in faith, even if they show weakness, show a firm resolve to make Christ your goal in your relationships with others.
  
As others respond in kind, we should demonstrate reciprocity with one another, conferring true favor and forgiveness upon one another. Never forgetting, that as Christ graciously showed kind, benevolent pardon to us, in like manner, we should also do the same for others.

We are of a different DNA than people who do not have Christ; our DNA has been re-written to reflect the true nature of the living God.

When we take Christ into our bodies, much like taking communion, there is a transaction that takes place; we are receiving the true body and blood of our Lord tangibly. We are being transformed in our minds, to put on the mind of Christ.

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” 
Romans 12:2 (GNT)

Our bodies and are also changing; they are reflecting the healing that comes from connecting with Jesus. Our bodies are also slated for redemption; however, the effect of sin in this world is immense, with sickness and disease running rampant.

It has always been God’s plan that we would all have divine health and not be affected by sickness and disease, but the enemy has crept into each person’s life and threatened us all with sickness or disease at one time or another. 

Again, standing firm in faith helps us to focus on God’s promises to lay hold the authority we have been given to take command of our bodies to not only maintain our health but to overcome sickness with Christ's victory.

“May the God of peace make you holy through and through. May you be kept in soul and mind and body in spotless integrity until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is utterly faithful, and he will finish what he has set out to do.” 
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (PHILLIPS)

The matter of the soul speaks of the need for emotional and social health; scripture tells us that we are not to forsake meeting together. None of us can go it alone, we were never meant to be Lone Rangers of faith.  Meeting together for the sake of fellowship and worship is essential for building strong bonds with others as well as building ourselves up as a healthy family of God. 

As we see the community gather establishing their relationships with one another, there is something divine that happens; it is called unity. And that kind of unity only exists in Christ where we see one another as a connected part of the entire body.

When we connect socially with brothers and sisters in Christ, we also establish accountability that we may do the same things as Paul mentioned earlier, standing firm together with our family in Christ.

“We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.”
Hebrews 10:25 (GW)

It is crucial and essential that we continue encouraging and uplifting one another in the faith, for it is life to us, and our patience and understanding of others is life to them. 

The Lord’s return is coming soon, so we must be on the watch for His appearing. If the Lord does choose to tarry, then be grateful, He is waiting so that more of His sons and daughters may come to Him and be swept into the Kingdom.

 “We know that we have left death and come over into life; we know it because we love others. Those who do not love are still under the power of death.” 
1 John 3:14 (GNT)

Loving on our family in Christ is what demonstrates that we have the life of Christ abiding within us, it is the evidence that God not only loves us but desires to take us into much deeper intimacy with Him. We are considered “a bride,” and what bridegroom would not desire intimacy with His bride? The imagery of us being the bride of Christ is sublime and yet overwhelming.

Now is the time for joy and happiness. He deserves all the glory we can give Him. For the wedding feast has begun; the marriage of the Lamb to His bride has commenced, and His bride has prepared herself for this glorious day. She had been given the finest linens to wear, linens bright and pure, woven from the righteous deeds of the saints.
Write this down: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb.” What I am telling you are the true words of God.” 
Revelation 19:7-9 (VOICE)

What I enjoy the most about us being considered the bride of Christ, is realizing how much He adores us. That is why we must encourage our Christian family; we are all adored as a precious bride before Him. He would do anything for His bride, and so should we.

Be Blessed;
Stephen Barnett

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