A Living Tabernacle

The faulty thinking of most Born Again Believers is that we are separated from Christ by the ethereal boundary between Heaven and earth.

We believe that God is only in Heaven with Christ sitting on the throne at His right hand. That leaves us all alone, struggling down here on Terra Firma to live a holy life.

Actually, Jesus substituted His life for ours on the cross. In the same way, He now lives our life for us and through us. Jesus fulfills our Father’s will in us as we follow the leading of His Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.

When we come to the understanding that we are dead, and that Christ is now alive within us (Colossians 3:3), we stop striving to perfect our self and we step aside and let God be God in our life. We are His Living Tabernacle.

Life no longer requires any effort from us. God only wants our obedience. We simply stand firm as we watch the Lord bring deliverance in us and through us (2 Chronicles 20:17).

There is nothing left for us to strive for or to attain to (Galatians 3:1-3). Therefore, there is no way we can boast about our accomplishments in the Lord. We boast about Him instead (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Once we get the focus off our self, and place it on Christ where it belongs, then He can use us to fulfill His purpose in the earth. We decrease, so that He may increase in and through us.

Prayer:

Father God, Jesus acknowledged that He is in us, and You are in Him. He wanted us to experience this same unity with You and with one another so the world would know You sent Him and that You love us as much as You love Him (John 17:23).

All of Your fullness dwells in Christ and He is the head of all powers and principalities. In Him, we are made complete (Colossians 2:9-10). Therefore, help us to let Your light within us shine so brightly, that people will see Christ in us and glorify You, who are our living hope (Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:3).

Thought for the Day:

We search in vain for Christ outside of our self, only to discover that He lives in all of His fullness within every Born Again Believer. - Ephesians 3:16-19 Amplified Bible

Enjoying Life

Read: John 8:34-37

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”  - 1 Peter 2:16

The needs of each person’s soul differ, but we all love to play. Fortunately, God abundantly gives us all good things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). There is a debate, however, between the ideologies of decency and decadence. Some believe there is no freedom in the face of morality. I contend that true freedom only comes within the safe parameters of these ethical boundaries. Otherwise, the mob rules and we all know that leads to chaos. Jesus agreed. He told us that we are slaves to sin, and reminded us that only the Son sets us free (John 8:34-37).

Sin makes us subservient to itself and there is no freedom in slavery. Fleshly indulgences are only enjoyable for a time. The dividends of depravity come in the form of ill health, addictions, unmanageable circumstances, jail terms, broken relationships, poverty and eventually death without peace (Luke 21:34). Paul gives wise counsel on how to live in Eph 5:15-19 NIV, “Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

The world tells us to ignore our conscience and to give in to the secular reasoning that “If it feels good, do it!” Who judges right from wrong if the Bible is not our standard? Society leaves it up to individuals, most of whom have trouble discerning truth in any form. Experience proves that a pursuit of money, immorality, fame, drugs, alcohol, relationships, looks and success only brings us temporary joy. In attaining these “prizes” we face a hollow victory. We immediately grow dissatisfied and want something more. The graveyards are full of people who died unhappily, even though they had one or more of these supposed guarantees to a happy life.

I see no need to fear moral restrictions. There is an unlimited amount of wholesome activities for spiritual people to enjoy, such as: learning something new, reading a book, taking a leisurely nap, canoeing the river, popping corn and watching movies, gathering with friends, sports, enjoying nature and developing new hobbies, to name just a few. We do not need to live a life of sin in order to enjoy life.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I am learning that there is no true happiness apart from You. I only experience completion in my life through my relationship with You. This is more fulfilling than any human relationship I ever enjoyed. Because You live within me, You are closer to me than any other bond. Jesus, thank You for coming to give us abundant life, which is filled to overflowing (John 10:10, Amplified Bible).

Thought for the Day:
How totally pointless the pursuit of self-indulgence appears after we attain it, and what a bitter taste of repulsion it leaves in our empty soul.