Nancy Taylor Tate
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
It is not hard to see, there is much agitation in society today. May we never miss an opportunity to glorify Christ with our words and actions!
Recently, while wearing my mask, I smiled at someone only to get a blank stare back. As I walked away, I suddenly realized I not only had my mask on, but my sunglasses! They couldn’t even see my eyes crinkle, let alone my smile. I realized the problem was with me, not them! Masks may be required, but sunglasses aren’t. Had I thought I could have removed them.
There are times we simply need to go the second mile to connect with those around us!
“Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (AMP)
We have a mission!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16.
“So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (TPT)
God loves people! His desire is to make His love known to others. One way He does this is through the way we live and treat others.
As we mature in our relationship with the Lord, Christ is being formed in us, that we might reflect Him more clearly today, and also be ready for eternity. There, we will stand before His throne and give an account of those things we did in this life. Yet it is not just what we have done, but what we have become that matters.
The Father is looking for a harvest that resembles His Son. When we stand before the Lord, how much of Christ will have been formed in us?
In the parable of the sower, Jesus speaks of those with good ground, who have received the seed.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” Matthew 13:23
Yet even in the good ground, there are still gradations of growth.
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15
How committed are we? To what degree are we willing to allow Christ to work in our lives?
Salvation is the first step of a beautiful, new relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, it is the Lord’s desire that we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
The Lord is longing for us to grow up into Him, that we might become a part of who He is, a sample of Him in the earth today. We are called to be a witness unto Him (Acts 1:8). The reflection of Christ is to be seen in our lives.
As we are changed to be “as He is” (1 John 4:17) we can then be carriers of His love to others. Then, through our union with Him, others can then find peace, encouragement, and love through our lives. What a great need there is for this today.
May we be encouraged in our walk and relationship with the Lord. In our devotional times! In the choices we make. May we allow the Lord to work in our lives, establishing a strong foundation within, one that will stand, come what may, as He draws us ever closer to Himself.
For this is our hope and joy! That we apprehend that for which we have been apprehended. That we ever grow in our knowledge of the Lord, as we are changed to be more like Him. That the Lord be pleased! That we reach our full potential. That others might come to know His love and be encouraged by our lives.