Can I say something that will probably make you uncomfortable? Of course, I’m not really asking permission; it’s just an easy way to broach the topic. Living the Christian life is an impossible task.
I stand by that 100%. That is, if we try to live under our own power. Successfully living the Christian faith walk under the power of our will and flesh is an impossible task. It just cannot and will not happen.
Fortunately, for us. God knows that. We are justified, that is, our sins are forgiven, but we are not yet fully sanctified (made holy). It’s why he made the disciples wait after His ascension before beginning the next phase of their ministry.
There was a special outpouring of the Spirit at the beginning of the church. Today, every true believer has the Spirit dwelling in them.
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, gives us discernment and wisdom (in tandem with the Word), gifts us and more.
The Holy Spirit is the gasoline that powers our faith walk. Without Him, we can go nowhere and do nothing. When we try and do something without Him it is an impossible task.
With Him, working in accordance with God’s will, all things are possible.
Do not neglect or grieve the Spirit. He is our God-given helper.
Praise God that He has not only forgiven us through Christ but empowered u with His Spirit.
Everywhere you look, someone is wearing or showing their brand l
We wear advertising logos. I have a hard time with that. Shouldn’t they be paying me to advertise for them, instead of having me pay extra for the “right” to advertise for them?
Perhaps all of us who don’t fit the target audience of a given brand should lobby them to pay us not to wear their clothing or use their products. But I digress.
As Christians, we often wear our particular brands. We identify ourselves based on the denomination we belong to. If your favorite brand isn’t listed on the graphic, it’s only because there wasn’t room to list the more than 4000 denominations in North America.
When asked about our religion, we’ll say things like “Oh, I’m a (fill in the blank with the denomination or affiliation you belong to).”
That’s a double problem. Firstly, Christianity isn’t about religion. It’s about relationships, specifically the personal relationship between an individual and Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with “religion” except as a secondary thing. It’s faith that matters.
Christ had some harsh words for those who put their traditions above His Word.
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Mark 7:6-8
Secondly, no matter what you think of denominations, there is only one church. Your denominational leaders are wrong if they teach that their expression of the Christian faith is the only way.
Jesus is the only way. He’s the only name by which we’re saved. Salvation doesn’t come from belonging to a specific denomination of stream of theology,
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans12:4-5
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among menby which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12
In case you’ve never been told, there will be believers from other denominations in heaven. Yours won’t be the only one. There will be people in heaven who will shock you. The only requirement to get in is faith-based, repentant acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. The breadth of the church exceeds yor theological priorities and brand name.
We’ll be astounded by who will be there and who won’t.
If you must wear a “brand name”, wear the name of a follower of Jesus Christ. Declare it when asked. Wear it so that it shows in your dealings with others. Wear it in all you do so that people know you are His even before they ask.
Until next time may the brand that people see in your life be “sinner saved by the grace of the Living God.”
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
