June 12, 2020 A SNAPSHOT
Today, let us take a look at some scriptures out of 1 Thessalonians 5 and Colossians 3 and 4, and get a partial snapshot of what the life of a believer looks like when lived according to God’s plans. The life portrayed here is not a ‘pipe dream,’ or out of our reach, but is available to each of us who know Him. This is in no way a total view or description of the Christian life, but hopefully it will whet our appetite to discover more about who we are and our true identity. So, here goes……….
From Thessalonians: We are not in darkness-we are sons of light and sons of day. God has destined us to obtain salvation through Jesus. We are called to encourage one another, and build one another up; appreciate those who diligent labor among us, and have charge over us in the Lord and give us instruction; to live in peace with one another; to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men; not to repay evil with evil, but always seek what is good for the other; to rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is the will of God for us; do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances; hold fast to that what is good; abstain from every form of evil. From Colossians: Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is. Set our mind on the things above, not on things that are on the earth. We have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is our life and we will be revealed with Him in glory. Consider the members of our earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. But now, put aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from our mouth. Put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created our new self. Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another, and forgiving one another, just as the Lord has forgiven us. Put on love. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within us, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another. Whatever we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Whatever we do, do our work heartily as for the Lord rather than for man, knowing that from the Lord we will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom we serve. Conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let our speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. We could go on and on trying to paint a view of this wonderful new identity, of the new person we are because of our being in Christ, but until the truth of who we are in Him becomes real in our spirit, we will never experience life as depicted in the New Testament. We hear it so often that perhaps it fails to impact us, but the life God has made available to His followers is abundant life-life to the fullest. This abundant life is not something we can attain to by our best effort and by our sincerity and devotion; this abundant life is found only in knowing and believing that God has made us new, that our old self has been crucified with Christ, and that God has given us a new heart, a new mind and a new spirit; that we have been made new-not refurbished! The life we see depicted in the scriptures becomes reality as a result of who we are as sons and daughters of God. There is no pressure in living the life God has for us; when we know who we are, it becomes only natural to live according to our new nature-and that is good news! This truth sets us free.
John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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