Jesus sits in a place of honor at our Father’s right hand.
He laid down His life for us, and gave us new life so we can join Him in the
reality of heaven. He calls us to think about eternal issues, and not about the
day-to-day things of life on this earth. In accepting Jesus sacrifice, we
identified with His death to every aspect of this life. Now, our real life is
with God, hidden in Christ. When Jesus, who is now our actual life, is revealed
to the whole world, we will share in His glory, as co-heirs.
With these thoughts in mind, it is easier to crucify the
deeds of our flesh, and the lusts of our carnal nature. We realize that the
anger of God is coming to those who do not repent of a sinful lifestyle and
trust in Jesus for salvation. Therefore, we step outside of the evil culture of
this world and clothe our self instead with our new nature in Christ. We come
to a place in our sanctification that all unholiness is part of this world, and
we no longer care to be part of it.
God chose us before the foundation of the world to walk in
His holiness. He loves us and conforms our nature to His own. More each day, we
exhibit the fruit of His Spirit instead of the fruit of our human flesh. Each
day we grow in our intimacy with our Creator, and His Spirit transforms us more
and more into His image. Our citizenship is no longer of this earth, but in
heaven. Christ is all that matters to us, because He actually dwells in our
spirit.
Just as God forgave us, we forgive one another. We
overlook each other’s idiosyncrasies, and we learn to appreciate one another’s
gifts and talents. God clothes us with His love and unites us together in
wonderful accord. He fills us with the peace that comes from Christ ruling in
our soul – our minds, will and emotions. We live serenely as one body, and we
live out of gratitude in service to our King. Christ fills our lives with all
of His fullness. He also gives us His wisdom to encourage one another in times
of trial (Colossians 3:1-17).
Prayer:
Father
God, as we live in You, our love is perfected. We have no fear of judgment, but
can face You with confidence, because Christ lives His life through us in this
world (1 John 4:17). Help us to
walk in this new nature, which You created in us, so that we can be just like
You, with all of Your righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). Songs of
praise to You pour from our thankful heart. Whatever we do, even if it is as
mundane as eating and drinking, we do it all as authentic Born Again Believers
in the Lord Jesus ChristThought for the Day:
Anyone who repents and believes the Lord is united in Spirit with Him as well. – 1 Corinthians 6:17
