The
Lord actually searches for faithful people to be His companions. He prefers
authentic people who live honorably and respectably, and who serve Him with
their whole heart (Psalm 101:6).
He
enjoys fellowshipping with us as we pray without ceasing, exhorting us to walk
in His ways, disciplining us for crossing the safety barriers that He erects
around our life, and gloriously providing for all of our needs (Philippians
4:19).
He
even appreciates opportunities to sit with us in companionable silence, or as
we praise His name out of the abundance of our heart.
In
every church family there are those who are convicted of their sin, but not yet
converted from a lifestyle of sin; and also carnal Christians who prefer living
for the flesh and their own goals and dreams rather than for the Lord.
Yet,
there are also those spiritually maturing Saints who usually put God's will
first each moment of their day. They consult Him before taking any action or
volunteering to participate in any activity or ministry that presents itself
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
Bearing
the fruit of God's Spirit is the sign of an authentic Christian (Galatians
5:15-25). As doers of the Word, we delight in His life-giving scripture (James
1:22).
Although
we grow at differing rates in our spiritual maturity, we will not remain carnal
babes all of our life (1 Corinthians 3:1). We gradually grow into the fullness
of the stature of Christ who abides within us (Ephesians 4:13).
Prayer:
Father
God, if we give in to temptation and sin, we still reap what we sow, and we
break Your heart in the process. Every time we sin we are allowing the flesh to
control our behavior rather than Your Spirit. Once we are truly saved, we no
longer seek our own life, because Christ is our whole life (Colossians 3:3-4). Although
we still falter in our behavior from time to time, we no longer live a sinful
lifestyle.
Remind
us that authentic faith in Jesus produces a life of good works that furthers
Your Kingdom in the earth (James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:8-10). We want to please
You with our thoughts, bring You glory with our words, and build Your Kingdom
through our actions.
Thought
for the Day:
Some
people are not actually Born Again, and they are not a new creation (2
Corinthians 5:17); they were convicted of their sin, but not converted; they participate
in religious activities, which make them feel closer to God and His Saints, but
they are not truly saved.
- 1 John 2: 19; Matthew 7:21; 25:1-13; John 3:3; 2
Timothy 3:5
