by David Brenneman
"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:3-21.
Grace is God’s unmeritted favor poured out upon us in every single breath we take, with every heartbeat that pumps blood throughout our bodies.
So easily is it forgotten throughout the day! At home or out in the world we forget to give others the grace given to ourselves by the Lord Jesus Christ through the Spirit.
We who are in Christ, saved by shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, aren't to merely wait out life doing whatever is right in our own eyes until either He returns or calls us home.
Compromise. The definition of the word is: 1) accept standards that are lower than is desirable. 2) weaken (a reputation or principle) by accepting standards that are lower than is desirable. 3) bring into disrepute or danger by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behavior.
Satan's greatest achievement in the lives of billions of people is in getting them to compromise.
Many billions of Believers have introduced compromise because that's what they were taught to do by those bringing them up in this world. Which is entirely the reason they cannot see that's what they've done with regards to their walk with Jesus.
Many have done as the Jewish leaders did and set standards for themselves that they can live with that aren't what the Bible says that Believers in Christ ought to be living by.
Sadly this has shipwrecked many in the faith.
The Believer is supposed to be setting aside self for the work of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus for them.
Many see nothing wrong with things they've adopted into their lives that really are against the Word of God. Satan's got them in those areas and they've long since stopped listening to that still small voice of God trying to lead them towards the path of righteousness in Christ.
Satan's really gotten his way with so many people in saying "It's all in fun! Nobody got hurt! It's just a rivalry! It's nothing serious!" Yet the truth is scars were left and wounds were created.
We cannot know the life in Christ that He intended for us if we keep putting on the old self with its passions and desires.
God's grace is new every morning and more often than not we keep it to ourselves. We don't show it in stores or restaurants or wherever we go in life to do the things that we need to do. I am guilty of this when life happens and my knee-jerk reaction isn't Godly.
H A L T.
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
We exhibit any of these and the first thing that goes is holding to our walk with Jesus. Our testimony is ongoing in our world. In a mere moment we can damage it because we're hungry and dismiss what is going on in the lives of those around us. Anger. This causes rational thoughts to leave us faster than we can know what really happened. Loneliness can open many doors to paths we never should consider for a person walking with Jesus. Tiredness can cause a single slip up that can take days or decades to correct if it's possible.
We really do offend the Spirit of God daily and more often than not we aren't aware of this.
We get excited about something that's been presented to us that has to do with our world yet we groan inside at the thought of spending any significant length of time praying or talking to God or reading our Bible.
You realize that you offend Jesus when you'd rather not spend time with Him? Yet His grace covers us in this. We should never persist in a life that puts off time with Jesus.
We are granted so much grace that we cannot fathom its magnitude!
We are unable to see how much of our lives offends our Holy God.
Doing things for God must come from a place of knowing that you are saved in Christ Jesus. Doing a life that only appears to be Christian without having true salvation in Christ Jesus will not go well when you face Jesus in judgment.
We are granted grace...His unmeritted favor. My Dear Reader pour that out to others. What the Spirit has for you to be doing isn't what He's got in mind for me to be doing. Yet in everything we are to be obedient to the Lord with a grateful heart. The good, the bad and the ugly. In everything give thanks.
Graciously give of ourselves to others. God loves a cheerful giver.
What do you do that really isn't worth holding onto because it's really hurting your relationship with Jesus?
Personally it's a daily struggle. Anyone who thinks they've arrived at figuring out everything they might be doing to offend our Holy God and has removed it...is a liar.
We come to Christ as we are and it takes a lifetime to move even an inch towards holiness in Christ for most.
Satan's schemes are right before our eyes and we don't attribute them to him. Rather we call it anything but that.
Take time today to get real with yourself and your relationship with Jesus. I dare you to ask Him the hard questions on how you're going about this life He gave you.
What have you learned about Him vs what you've learned about the world around you?
The grace you're enjoying should be leaving your hands and your heart to be bestowed on those whom you cross paths with.
Regardless of the reasons why...avoid worldly chatter. Avoid being drawn into complacency or compromise. Grow with respect to your salvation in Christ. Honor and respect the Word of God more than you do those people around you.
Jesus should be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. Take to heart that second part.
Today as a prime example...billions will uselessly rage at one team or another and people will get the entirely wrong impression of what a Christian is.
It doesn't mean anything! Most may say...yet the Spirit says "It matters to Me".
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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