Christian Living
"Under Construction" (Encouragement for the new Christian)
The Word of God tells us that when we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord
and Savior, we became a new creation. We no longer live for
ourselves, but for Jesus, the one who died for us and was raised
from the grave. Now, we regard no one from a worldly point of
view; this is a natural result of being a participant in the divine
nature of God.
Like newborn babies, we have been birthed into a world we
are not accustomed to. It is called the Spiritual world. In the
sphere of this new world...(although it is undeveloped at
our birthing, you and I have the capacity to walk by faith and not by
sight.
Jesus told us this walk of faith would be our victory by which we
overcome the world and it's ungodly mindset. Because of this new
creation that has taken place within our spirits, we have the ability
to follow him; and as we follow, we discover victorious, overcoming
life which is ours to enjoy.
Knowing this....if you are discouraged today, be of good cheer!
Jesus has overcome the world, and as a participant in his divine
nature, you, too possess overcoming power within your new spirit...
You are victorious!
Granted, there will be days you don't "feel" victorious. But as
you continue walking by faith and not by sight, spiritual maturity is
developing within you.
Your faith will mature and you will be empowered as you hear the
good word of God, embrace what you hear, and learn how to walk in
its truth, as you live in this fallen world.
I am talking about commitment, for it is a life-long process. But
as you continue, somewhere in the process you will make a wonderful
discovery: New life in Christ is not all struggling and running
against the wind.
Your comittment to follow Jesus will carry you to a place of peace
and overcoming joy. The Bible says it is a joy the world cannot
give, and the world (with it's ungodly mindset) cannot take away.
As a new creation, enjoying your new-found peace, you will also
be tried. In the Old Testament, we read that Joseph was tried by
the word of the Lord. Yes, God tries his people, his chosen ones.
Gold is tried in the fire so that it's true beauty and value can
be seen and enjoyed. In its raw form, it is placed in a large kettle.
The heat is turned up. As it melts, its impure properties rise to the top,
and are skimmed off. Did you know that God has chosen you to show
the world HIS beauty and value?
A good work was started in you when you said "Yes" to Jesus and
made that wonderful decision to live your life for him. You are
now "under construction"...a construction zone, if you will.
You may look a mess, from others' point of view, but I encourage you
to watch to see what God will do in your life in the zone of the
Spirit.
With your permission and cooperation, God will finish what he has
started in you...the lifelong process of developing within you the
beautiful image of his Son.
He is the author, and the polisher of your faith. He sees the end
from the beginning, so it is with great joy that he continues to
perfect and bring to maturity the fruit of his labor of love in you.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
Barbara Thompson-Young
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While most christians know this, it is refreshing to be reminded. I think I don't always like the "spinach" of my spiritual plate that makes me grow. Thanks!
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