29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12).”
For the most part, people relate to others according to their feelings or a gut sense they have about them . When it comes to relationships, oftentimes we are driven by how others treat us. We are emotional beings, and how others feel about us makes us respond in kind. We love those who love us and dismiss those who dislike us. Our approach to others may be influenced by how they may have made us feel, in the previous encounter. Since we are fickle about how we interact, we can become unpredictable. The world is full of people who act on a whim based on their emotions. Being at one’s best requires consistency. Each moment of every hour is a new opportunity to approach others with the right attitude. Love is the highest principle to live by. Love doesn’t vacillate over how to respond based on past hurt or another’s reaction to us. Love gives the best of us.
8 But God demonstrates His own Love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received the reconciliation (Romans 5).
Anger, resentment and bitterness from past hurt leads to rifts that destroy families, and societies as a whole. We are created for relationships so that we can experience life with others. God knows that when one offends another, there’s little hope for reconciliation. Our Heavenly Father knows that we are imperfect and prone to disobey, but are still the work of His Hands.
“ Love gives the best of us.”
While we were yet sinners, God gave His Only Son to die for us. Christ took the punishment that was meant for us upon Himself, so that there’s no rift between us and God. How willing are we to still love those who offend us? God Who spared us from His Wrath, showed His Love when we were in our worst shape—unworthy of mercy. In His Wrath, God showed His Love by extending Grace. Only A Loving Father will give His wayward child an opportunity to be reconciled, by His Mercy. If God were to turn a blind eye to sin, He would not be Holy. If parents were to ignore disobedience, their children would be insolent and destructive. A child’s behavior is usually projected on the parent.
We now live in The Son; one with Him in His death and risen with Him as a new creation; fully justified to please God. We have escaped the punishment of death for our sins, because of His Love. Love offers peace and joy through reconciliation. True worshipers of God, understand why they worship. Those who truly worship God have experienced this Love. We are only saved by Christ’s Life— by living in Him. We have been given the right to be called Children of God. Apart from our union with Christ we remain in our sin, and the Wrath of God awaits us. Since we have been born again, we have a new heart that gives to others what we have received.
“In His Wrath, God showed His Love by extending Grace.”
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him Who died for them and rose again (2 Corinthians 5).
We all died to our sins through Christ’s death, and we now live in the Risen Life of Christ. We don’t live for ourselves but for Him. Our emotions are His, our thoughts are His, and our life is His. The Cross was the place we exchanged our sinful lives for His Righteous Life. By the same measure of Love He gave us, we are compelled to give to others. If nothing else restrains our self-will, let it be the works of God in us, through The Spirit of Christ. We no longer live for ourselves, but live out God’s Will, which is Love.
“Love offers peace and joy through reconciliation.”
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is Love. 9 In this the Love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4).
Love for others is the hallmark of one born of God and has acquaintance with Him. Anyone who doesn’t love, does not know that God is Love. It is in loving others that God is manifested. If God so loved us, we are to love others likewise. Being born of God is having His Character of Love. It means allowing Christ to use us, as a channel of His Grace and Love. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; so we must become more like Him.
3 The Lord appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you. 4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice (Jeremiah 31).“
To be loved with an Everlasting Love, who wouldn’t like that? This is the love we give a newborn baby, when we first hold them in our arms. They don’t know us, they don’t understand, but we know they need to be loved and protected with every inch of our being. Our Heavenly Father knows what an unloved child can become; lonely, depressed, underdeveloped and afraid. With loving kindness He has drawn us to Himself. Though we are broken, hurting and maybe on the path of destruction, He will restore us. He will adorn us with joy once again. No one, on their worst day wants to be rejected. This is The God we serve; He draws us with chords of love when we are out of sorts. He longs to do a new thing, so that we can forget the past. His desire for us is that we will have a song of praise in exchange for our sorrows and press forward to newness. Love holds out hope for the broken.
2 Take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. 3 Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.” 4 “I will heal their backsliding. I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him (Hosea 14).
God forgives those who are willing to admit they want their sins removed and are in need of Grace. Repentance is spoken words; it’s not just an idea. We return to The Lord in dire need, with a request and a plea to be forgiven. Nothing will save us from God’s Judgement but His Own Mercy. He will heal our backsliding and love us freely. No offering is needed to gain His Love. How many people can we offend and expect to be forgiven without paying a price? God is not like man, who we have to impress to placate. He only requires that we are honest about our error, and He will turn away His Anger. How much Mercy do we forfeit by shrugging off repentance? Many see God as they see people; unwilling to forgive and love. If you have never experienced this kind of Love, let it draw you to Him. In fact, if we love to be loved, let us come before the Seat of Mercy. Here we confess and our shame is covered with Grace. God’s Love should compel us to be honest about ourselves.
“Love holds out hope for the broken.”
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away (1 Corinthians 13).
This verse sums it all. But who among us can love as it describes? Certainly not me; only Christ in me. God doesn’t ask us to use our version of love but His. His Love doesn’t hurt others, isn’t selfish or conceited, and it never fails to meet another’s needs. Regardless of how much Scripture we can reel off, prophecies we can utter with precision, how learned we are in Scripture, if we fail to love, we have failed to meet God’s Standard. As the Body of Christ, all that we do for others must be grounded in love. We are a working progress in God’s Hands.
33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13).”
“Being born of God is having His Character of Love.”
Christ left His followers with a new commandment: To love one another as He has loved us. The disciple is not above the teacher; they must emulate the teacher. If Christ loved others who rejected Him, dismissed Him, betrayed Him, abandoned Him, denied Him and crucified Him, we are commanded to do the same. Somehow, a lot of us think this is a good suggestion, it’s more than that— it’s a command. Disciples are duty-bound to live out the instructions given by their master. So it behooves us to obey this command. We don’t represent ourselves, we manifest Christ in our interactions. If we are incapable of loving as He loves, we can’t be His disciples.
44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven (Luke 7).”
The woman loved Christ extravagantly, even though she had many sins. She worshiped Him with every core of her being. Because she loved much, her many sins were forgiven. Those who think they have been righteous a long time, and haven’t received much from Christ, sometimes don’t get as excited to be in His Presence. Of more significance is this: “But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Those who have been forgiven little don’t love God extravagantly and don’t see the point in loving others. Since they don’t desire forgiveness from A Holy God, they don’t give grace to others. They are judgmental of others and resentful, because they consider them irreparable.
Do you worship God because He gives you material things, a good paying job, or has healed your sickness? Are you concerned that others may think you are too zealous in your worship? What must God do for you so that you can worship with your whole being? If someone gave you millions of dollars, you may never stop thanking them. But what about the One Who took your place so that you would not die or go to hell? If hell isn’t real, Christ wouldn’t have come to die. That’s how real it is! If there’s no other reason to worship, at least worship because you have Eternal Life in Christ and are not slated to spend a day in hell. The more we love our LORD, the more we receive Grace for our sins.
“If we are incapable of loving as He loves, we can’t be His disciples.”
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4).”
The love that Christ commands us to live out is not for the faint of heart. This is love that overcomes biases, forgives offenses, offers help to those who don’t deserve it, does not expose others’ shortcomings to hurt them, but covers a multitude of sins. Beyond a prayerful and worship-filled life, a life full of love for God and others, is a life complete. There’s no telling how much hope, comfort and peace we can offer to broken relationships or to the downcast; but we can give what we have freely received, and give it ever so cheerfully.
“Love is the highest principle to live by.”
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13).
25 A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies (Proverbs 14).
What could be more compelling and credible than hearing an account from the horse’s mouth? If someone says they were physically there, they saw something with their own eyes, what further evidence is needed to believe their account? A witness who can corroborate the events. It’s one thing to read or hear about another person’s experience with someone, a product, service or event; it’s another thing to try it for yourself. It’s better to have first-hand information from those who have had an encounter with something, or have your own experience. It’s also crucial for a witness to relay the information accurately, so that others can make the most informed decision.
10 “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I Am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. 11 I, even I, Am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior. 12 I have declared and saved. I have proclaimed, and there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the Lord, “that I Am God (Isaiah 43).”
“Faith is believing God’s account of Himself.”
How serious do we take our role as witnesses of God, His Truth, His Love and Salvation? We are His witnesses to know and believe that there’s no other God. Know for yourself, learn on your own and not just by hearsay, of Who God is. Study to know and understand that there’s no other God beside Him. This is how you are qualified to become a witness: By being exposed to the truth, believing, experiencing, and understanding it. God has been revealing Himself to the world through those who believe in Him. There are many man-made gods out there, but there is only One True Living God, Jehovah. If God declares that He is The only God and Savior, that settles it. Faith is believing God’s account of Himself. We must live as those who are acquainted with Who God is. We have been chosen as witnesses to what we have learned. We have been saved from our self-will to do His Will. As we learn more about Him in Scripture, we have an obligation to act on that knowledge—that He is God and there’s no other.
13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.” 16 But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused (2 Kings 5).
Naaman, a Syrian commander, had leprosy and it was recommended to him to see Elisha, a prophet of God in Israel. At first, he refused to follow the prophet’s prescription because he was arrogant and preferred another method for his healing. Naaman’s servant prevailed on him by exploiting his pride; his eagerness to achieve only great things. Naaman was challenged to do a small act—wash and be clean. How often do we refuse to do the little things that God commands us? We may shun away deliverance that seems too simple to do, because we believe we have to work harder to attain it. We would rather jump through hoops or as Naaman, tell God how he should go about answering our prayers. Naaman became a witness of God’s Power only after he humbled himself to do what He was asked.
“ The work God does through us defines Him, more than it does us .”
Naaman decided to reward the man of God for the work God had done; “Indeed, now I know there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.” He had an accurate analysis of God, but instead of glorifying God, he elevated the man of God. There are those in the Body of Christ, who ask their church leaders to pray for them for their needs; then once they have their prayers answered they give their praise to the church leadership. Elisha refused to be honored for being the vessel God used to bring about Naaman’s healing. As vehicles of God’s provision, we should not take His place of honor. The work God does through us defines Him, more than it does us. When we experience God’s Goodness we need to give the honor befitting Him alone.
“There are no passive witnesses to God; they are doers of His Will.”
27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I Am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He Who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him (John 8).
Our LORD spoke of his first-hand experience with The Father. He didn’t exalt Himself above His Father, nor do anything for His Glory. He Glorified His Father by what he professed of Him. He took no credit for what He taught and did, He only did what pleased His Father. If we exalt Him, we will know that He is from above and not from the Earth. His doctrine is from above the Earth, and distinguishes it from all other doctrine. What the Father taught The Son, He declared it boldly, and many believed Him.
Our Father never leaves those who give an accurate account of what He reveals. Those who have a constant encounter with Him, will know what pleases Him, and do it. There are no passive witnesses to God; they are doers of His will. Christ always did what The Father did and spoke what He spoke; He did what pleased Him, and many believed in Him. Unless believers learn how to follow after Christ’s example, they will not be able to convince others of what they believe. Christ reveals Himself to those who love Him and keep His Commandments. As He manifests Himself, they become witnesses to Him, through obedience. Just as the Father was explicit with The Son, so is The Son to those who obey.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him (John 14).”
We must strive to please God boldly, in spite of opposition. We are not declaring ourselves, we are defining our God. Our lifestyles proclaim what we have heard and seen. He must be lifted above our thoughts, desires and interests, so that they may know He is God. We are not looking for accolades, but declaring His Glory. Living in submission to God is doing what pleases Him. By our life, character, conversations and desires, we are drawing others to Him or repelling them. When we just express our own nature, we become an aversion to those who are looking to see God’s character.
“We are not declaring ourselves, we are defining our God.”
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But The Helper, The Holy Spirit, Whom The Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you (John 14).
We have A Helper, The Holy Spirit who keeps us in the loop, so that we stay informed on what He desires. He teaches us through The Word, all things—not just some things, but all things that pertain to our calling. He will not leave us on our own to figure it out; The Anointing of God is our teacher. He also reminds us when we are about to falter, the things He has already revealed to us. He is sent in Christ’s Name, He is Christ Himself in us. To give an accurate account we must remember details, and we have The Helper to refresh our memory.
13 However, when He, The Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you (John 16).
How amazing is this! The Spirit of Truth speaks what He hears not by speaking of His Own Authority but from The Father. He is The LORD Jesus, once again telling us that He speaks what The Father reveals. The Greatest Witness to The Father is declaring to us all that He knows. If you have any doubt that The Spirit is Christ Himself, read the verse again and go back and read John 14.
“All things that The Father has, are being revealed to us.”
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (John 14.).
The Father and The Son are testifying of Themselves by Their Spirit in us. He not only reveals Truth in the past, but in the present and future. He tells us of things to come, as one not restrained by time and space. We have access to mysteries beyond our time. It’s no wonder Bible prophecies give credence to God’s Word. All things that The Father has, are being revealed to us. We must not shrink away from declaring what He reveals, by how we live in Him.
The one who only speaks of themselves will not be devoid of pride. The one who represents another who is greater, will be careful to do what is above board and right. There’s no room for self-importance when we are declaring what has been revealed to us. It’s not by our wisdom or righteousness that truth is unraveled beyond our comprehension. It is God’s delight to let us into His thoughts.
16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wants to do His Will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him (John 7).
“We are not looking for accolades, but declaring His Glory.”
We enjoy being regaled with people’s account of their experiences. We also love to share with others, things we have been involved in. How often are we enthused by what God reveals to us? How much are we willing to believe The Spirit of Truth, His Word or Doctrine, by doing what pleases Him? How can we become witnesses to Christ, just as He is to The Father? We must be bold believers who act on what we have seen and heard. Creation declares His Glory, day after day, how much more those who have been given access to His Presence?
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His Hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun (Psalm 19).
When we have a deadline to meet or a goal we intend to achieve, we are earnest to push ourselves to the limit to get results. We don’t do this with most tasks or responsibilities, unless they have great significance. The goals we set for ourselves will prove our mettle—by our grit and discipline.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we do it for an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9) .
When we are determined to achieve something, we can be persistent regardless of setbacks we face. We become scrupulous with our time, so that we are making the most progress we can, to get to the finish line. Diligence is the determination to succeed in an undertaking, with precision and discipline.
“ Diligence takes others into consideration.”
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has (Luke 12).
How we perform our tasks in the absence of those we are responsible to, is telling of our attitude towards what has been entrusted to us. If we are faithful with what is required of us when our superior is absent, then we are worth our salt. When we disregard how to conduct ourselves in their absence, we neglect integrity. Diligence is expressed in honesty and hard work. With or without supervision, we should be able to faithfully perform our duties, in a timely manner. When one part of any organization is failing to execute its responsibilities, it affects the entire entity’s performance. What portion are you withholding from others by your negligence at home, church or work?
Failure to do little things well, shows lack of focus. The LORD has blessed us with responsibilities because He knows we have the potential to do well. God will not give us the privilege of serving at a higher capacity, if we fail to serve well in menial duties. My fellow believers in Christ, as we await His return we have important responsibilities within our circles. We must be careful to do what pleases Him, even in the mundane tasks. We should not procrastinate on the responsibilities that fall to us to perform.
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1 Peter 5).
Those in leadership at home or church are responsible to give those they oversee their portions faithfully: Teach the Word faithfully and serve with humility and commitment. Execute all your duties with integrity. Church leaders are representatives of God’s Authority over those they oversee. They have the responsibility to serve multiple needs within the Body of Christ. Though they have needs themselves emotionally, spiritually and financially, they must not serve for their own gains; as they set an example of Christ to the flock. Church leadership must represent Christ’s desire for His people. They are under Christ’s Authority to be who they have been invested as, shepherds of His flock. They also must be willing to roll up their sleeves and serve alongside others, by not overworking them.
“Responsibility comes with accountability.”
48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24).
When the boss is not around, those who are left to hold down the fort, sometimes take liberty with their authority. They may begin to act like they are the boss, being disrespectful, micromanaging others while not lifting a finger to help. Similarly, some within the Body of Christ, may get impatient as they wait for Christ’s return and begin to be critical of others, start backsliding and living in debauchery. We are warned to always be ready and vigilant, doing what we have been called to do. When it seems our Master is delaying His return, we still have to be diligent servants. We don’t know if we will live to see the next hour, nor do we know at what hour He will come. For the most part, it’s better to be in our best form. Eagerly awaiting our LORD, we must keep doing the next thing. We have to try to carry each day abiding in Him. He is ever present and always working. We are looking forward to seeing our LORD, though He is already in us. We need not conduct ourselves as if He left the room.
“Execute all your duties with integrity.”
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12).
The more knowledge we have about what is required of us, the higher the expectations put on us. The servants of God have already been steeped into what is acceptable to Him. They have no excuse for not applying that knowledge. Much has been committed to us, but more so to the teachers, pastors and leaders. Since they have the privilege of attaining the knowledge in Scripture and teaching others to follow it, they have a greater onus to live it out. Responsibility comes with accountability. Knowledge must be applied appropriately, to be of any use. Our actions are proof of our convictions. Just as parents are accountable to practice what they preach to their children; those who are entrusted to us have high expectations of us.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Peter 3).
There are those who have been enlightened longer than others. These are responsible to live out what they have believed. Failure to do what we know is right has repercussions. Since we have been kept in God’s Goodness, Mercy and Love, we are required to be outlets of the same. We are led away into wickedness when we fail to give what we have abundantly received. For those who are just starting to live in Christ, it’s incumbent upon them to grow in the knowledge of Who He is; so that they can be more like Him. What we have received from God’s Riches must be disseminated to others. There will be chastising for those who fail to do as commanded; it will be more severe for those who have the most knowledge and understanding.
“For the most part, it’s better to be in our best form.”
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being (1 Corinthians 10).
We have to be able to sift out the things that are meaningful, relevant and helpful, from those things that are a waste of our time and effort. It’s okay to not give our attention to things that will not benefit us. Being diligent requires the wisdom to engage in matters that have value. Time is precious by how we prioritize its use. Wasted time can never be regained. Not everything will benefit us though we may have a right to it. Everything that is our right may not accommodate the needs of others. We have to be willing to make some compromises by not just seeking our own gain, but that of others. Diligence takes others into consideration.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11) .
It’s not enough to just have head knowledge of the truths that pertain to living a godly life. No amount of years of studying the Scriptures is enough to make us righteous, but putting it all into practice. The life we live in Christ is not one to take for granted—it cost Him His Life to give us Eternal Life in Him. Just as He was diligent, we must be the same. No one can do this for us, we have to make this commitment and stick with it through thick and thin. We must be willing to suffer to attain what has already been given to us. Since much has been given, much is expected in our conduct, tenacity and perseverance. We await with expectation as those who have received what is promised. We only live this life in Christ, once, so let’s do it right.
“Time is precious by how we prioritize its use.”
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him; being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Colossians 1).
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1).”
As sure as the planets are positioned strategically to orbit the Sun, so are we placed according to God’s Purpose. Nothing has been left to chance— with intricacy and wisdom all things are working with precision: If the Earth were any closer to the Sun, we would be toast: If one oxygen atom were taken away from carbon dioxide we would be giving off carbon monoxide—a highly toxic, colorless and odorless gas. Everything is portioned and positioned precisely for our good and benefit. We should not think that we are here on Earth with no purpose. If every plant, animal, critter, and molecule has a purpose, then we have significance. Life is full of trials and difficulties, but we must take our positions regardless, and step into the next moment; as time waits for no one.
“The abilities God gives will position us for blessings.”
4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the Earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt (Genesis 45).
It’s unfathomable to imagine brothers selling their own sibling to slavery, because they were envious of him. People can do horrific things to others who they deem to be a threat. In this dog eat dog world, it’s not unusual to see claws coming out vying for privileges, power and possessions. I’m sure Joseph was dejected and bitter with his brothers for separating him from his father and valuing his life worth only twenty pieces of silver.
“ Everything is portioned and positioned precisely for our good and benefit.”
Joseph accepted the hand he was dealt, but never separated himself from His God. God eventually brought Joseph out of the dungeon by distressing Pharaoh with a dream. Joseph was mentioned to Pharaoh as the only one who could interpret dreams. The abilities God gives will position us for blessings. The Holy Spirit gives us those abilities; equipping us to be useful for God’s Purpose. For Joseph, it was interpreting dreams that opened the door to his freedom and prosperity.
Joseph chose to see the forest for the trees, by thrusting aside the evil his brothers did against him, and acknowledging the position God had given him. Were it not for their evil actions, He would not have saved the entire nation of Israel—whose forefathers were the brothers bowing before him. With no time to waste, Joseph began to do what was necessary to preserve their lives. Turn the wrong done against you into a launch pad for where you are intended to be. Shifting our focus on what God is doing will keep us from dwelling on the past. Get on with God’s program and preserve what’s about to perish. God will prove that people’s motives are moot to what He has already ordained for us.
3 And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly. 4 For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water)(1 Kings 18).
Ahab was one of the most wicked kings in Israel, and his wife Jezebel was a pagan. Ahab was from the lineage of David, but he worshiped many idol gods and led Israel to do the same. Ahab had built all kinds of altars for Jezebel to worship her gods, with the help of 400 prophets of Baal. She brutally killed many of God’s prophets and had great sway over Ahab. Who would want to work for such an administration? Obadiah was a man who feared God greatly and was put in charge of Ahab’s house. Coincidence? I think not. God sent a deliverer for his prophets by placing Obadiah in Ahab’s office. He saved them by Obadiah’s commitment to not just cower in fear, but do something about the vicious slaughter of God’s people.
“Get on with God’s program and preserve what’s about to perish.”
So Esther arose and stood before the king,5 and said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight and the thing seems right to the king and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite; which he wrote to annihilate the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?”
7 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “Indeed, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows because he tried to lay his hand on the Jews. 8 You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke (Esther 8).”
Esther was a Jew brought up by her relative Modecai, as captives when Babylon invaded Jerusalem. She found favor with the king and became his wife. The king’s right hand man at the time, by the sleight of his hand, made arrangements for the massacre of the Jews. No one knew that Queen Esther was a Jew. Modecai convinced her to use her position to deliver the Jews from Haman, who had convinced the king to sign a decree to kill the Jews. Esther was reminded of her position as well as the consequences of not using it to deliver her people. She was not going to be spared from the decree, if she was found to be a Jew. We must never be silent when we can be a force for justice. God plants us where He can use us for His agenda. God will always protect those who take a stand for good. No child of God should ever take their role lightly. Every step is ordained with precision, as sure as the Sun rises from the east and sets in the west.
If God has opened a door for us where others are not believers and are openly against the Lord’s Ways, we may think that this is not for us. We have to pray about it and ask His Wisdom. If we are given the opportunity, we should consider the possibility that God may be placing us for His Purpose. Like Obadiah and Esther, those who fear Him will be used to do what pleases Him. In proximity to leadership, we have access by dint of our position, to what God is calling us to do. We are a light in the darkness and are salt which can stem the rot. We are called to do good and protect life. We don’t have to agree with those around us, we have to be in agreement with what God would have us do.
33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. And when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you! (1 Samuel 17)”
What have your past experiences and skills earned you? They are more useful than you can imagine. No experience is ever wasted whether great or small. Whatever chores we did as children, skills we were taught by our parents, knowledge we gained in those jobs we hated, these are all pieces to complete the whole puzzle of our lives. For David, killing a lion and bear to protect his father’s sheep was enough to prove him competent to take out Goliath. We don’t need sophisticated experiences, we need to recall our past courage in the face of adversity. It really wasn’t David who dominated the lion or bear, it was God who preserved his life. God was going to give David victory over a man. Take the experiences and skills that others may not think have value, and let God put His Power behind them. It doesn’t matter how long your colleagues have been on the job, or how old you are; use what you are familiar with for God’s Glory. Seize the opportunity to take down a giant with whatever you have on hand.
“No experience is ever wasted whether great or small.”
35 “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years (Acts 7).
Moses was rejected by his own people because he had frailties. They disqualified him as ruler and judge, but God put His stamp of approval on him. Moses, by the hand of the Angel, brought multitudes of Jews out of Egypt with all sorts of signs and wonders, parted the Red Sea and sustained the children of Israel in the wilderness. People’s opinions should not determine our calling. They may want to remind us of our past, shortcomings or limitations, but we must remember we are created in Christ’s Image and Likeness. We have to live in the present by walking in the newness of each day we draw a breath. As long as we are still here, we are still useful.
“No child of God should ever take their role lightly.”
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed (Hebrews 12) .
God uses those who are willing to fully depend on Him to get the job done. Our past failures don’t discount us for God’s service. He would much rather use one who has no confidence in themselves, than one who is puffed up with experience. God will do great exploits with those who have been shafted because of their checkered past. Rewrite your past by being willing to let God work with everything that defines you.
Nothing will stand in the way of what we have been ordained to become; to do God’s Will here on Earth. God’s election is sure and He will work out everything, from cradle to crave to shape us according to His Purpose. We don’t need to be commended by others, nor do we have to be demoralized by our critics. It’s His Work and not ours, so we need Him to work out every detail and hone each skill needed to get it done. He uses every experience, skill, talent and personality, coupled with His Wisdom and Power, to situate us precisely, for His agenda. We must be cognizant of our position and humble ourselves to heed His Instructions while we go in His Strength.
“God plants us where He can use us for His agenda.”
7 But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. 9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My Words in your mouth 10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms; to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant (Jeremiah 1).”
A new beginning needs a strong foundation to build on. Firm convictions will cause one to be decisive in choosing the right paths in life. We are motivated by what we aspire to become. Strong principles and values make up the framework of who we want to become. It’s imperative that we become forward-looking and intentional to get the best outcome. When we decide to make something of our lives, we have to be deliberate to cultivate enduring attributes. As believers in The LORD Jesus Christ, the life we build on Him has an eternal significance. Every waking moment, we are being renewed to be more like Him, built on Him, Who is the foundation of truth, life, wisdom and grace.
“We express who we have become by how we live.”
119 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that The Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are (1 Corinthians 3).
Life built on Christ involves expending our time and effort in getting it right. We are not to do anything apart from what He requires—according to His Word and in concert with Him. The work is what we decide to do with the lives that are now built on Christ, our strong foundation. The material is what we are willing to give to achieve growth in Christ. Some may want to reach others with the Gospel, others may want to give to the poor and those in need, visit the sick, and be willing to give up their time and resources for their loved ones. God isn’t impressed with what we are willing to give as He is the motive behind it. Building with gold is being lavish, but the motive should be tested to see if it’s for God’s Glory or for our own glory. Our work requires a determination to build for His Purpose. Some build with extravagance, while others will use the little means they have to love God and others. Every building block has a motive—the intended reward. Work has to first begin internally. We must allow the work of His Spirit to change our thinking and our desires. As a new creation in Christ, we submit to the work of Spirit to make us according to His Own Plans. As the temple of The Holy Spirit, we are being built to accommodate God and others within us.
16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in The Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3).
“Our success is built on what God has already furnished for us, by His Wisdom.”
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We express who we have become by how we live. Godliness doesn’t depend on material things. So whether we build with gold or hay—with the material blessing we live by, we can be effective with little or much; but God must be Glorified. With any service to God, we have to be careful not to do anything for accolades. Whatever we do in our relationships and our daily routine, should be done in The LORD. We represent Him in all our dealings. We are no longer living for ourselves. Christ is our foundation and life, therefore we must conduct ourselves in a manner befitting His Honor. If we acknowledge this we would be diligent to uphold high standards of living.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6) .
As we heed to His Word and act accordingly, we manifest His Character and build our relationships with others. We can become more grateful for most situations we find ourselves in, because we see ourselves as an expression of Who He is. In the ebb and flow of life’s challenges, His reputation is always on the line. Since we set our sights on doing all things in Him, we don’t lean on our abilities but His. We are thankful for the things unseen: the treasures laid up for us in Heaven. We should not be demoralized because of what we lose here on Earth; our gains are made where treasures are eternal. Our zeal should be in building an inheritance that will never fade away.
“We must therefore learn to build true riches with humility and thanksgiving.”
16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! Tonight your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12).”
Our labor for the things of this world should not be in vain. We prosper in life by taking opportunities and achieving set goals. It’s vital that we consider the outcome of the things we spend our efforts trying to achieve. The rich man saw the fruit of all his labor and had every right to rejoice. He did well for himself and thought he was set for life. This sounded like a well-deserved reward, after all he toiled for it. The man didn’t consider the ground that yielded, as God’s provision for his success. All the elements that worked precisely to give him his harvest were not of his own doing. He became his own source, with no show of gratitude for God’s providence. He laid up treasure for himself and was willing to fritter it away on himself, with no thought for others. The rich man found the opportunity to be at ease and be merry. It seems like he spent himself in his labor, building bigger barns to accommodate his wealth, and had not fully enjoyed life, until he had more than he needed.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me; enduring riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue is better than choice silver (Proverbs 8).
Blessings are God’s reward for the work of our hands; they come in many ways including peace, rest, righteousness and joy. We should give back to God as generously as He gives to us. Our success is built on what God has already furnished for us, by His Wisdom. God gives us the wisdom to acquire what the world can’t give us. God’s Wisdom, applied by our obedience to His Word will earn us more than fleeting material wealth.
10 For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. 11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. 12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings (Psalm 49).
This life is not a guarantee, but the investment we put in for God’s Glory will pay dividends beyond this life. When our soul is required of us, we will leave what we have spent years and resources building to others; they will reap from the sweat of our brow. We must therefore learn to build true riches with humility and thanksgiving.
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature (Matthew 6)?
Unlike the rich man, the birds don’t worry about gathering in their barns for the future. The LORD tells us not to worry about building for tomorrow, when we have enough for today. God knows what we need, just as He knows what the birds need. I have yet to see birds in a food crisis, falling off from the sky malnourished. Are we not more valuable than them? When we worry about basic necessities, we are not depending on God. Life built on Christ is dependent on Him to sustain it. Our work is what we do with the abilities God has endowed us with. Our occupation meets our needs and those of others, as a service to God. It’s where we work alongside the guidance and wisdom of The Holy Spirit to be useful to others. So, if for some reason we are laid off, we look to God to meet our basic needs, while we trust Him to open another door to work alongside Him.
“We are the dwelling place of The Presence of God, being built into the likeness of Christ.”
But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” 15 And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work (Nehemiah 4:1, 13-15).
“Life built on Christ is dependent on Him to sustain it.”
Nehemiah and some of the Jews had set their sight on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Babylonian invasion. Word spread about their intentions and their enemies were furious in opposition. This is what happens when we decide to turn our lives around; when we embark on rebuilding areas of our lives that are desolate, opposition ensues. People don’t think we have the ability or fortitude to do better or to make a fresh start. We must not pay attention to naysayers that pours cold water on our hopes. We should remember The LORD will fight for us and carry us through, to complete what He has begun. God went before Nehemiah and the people because they were determined to do the work. Opposition will always be there, even against the good we are trying to achieve. We must get back to building and trust God to do the rest.
“We are motivated by what we aspire to become.”
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us. And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12).
He is Faithful to complete His desire for us. We are building on a solid foundation that can’t be shaken by criticism or threats. We have to get back to building our lives, our loved ones depend on us and we should fight to the death for the betterment of ourselves. Our hope is built on Christ and He will not fail us. Christ has set us an example, to endure all forms of affliction and complete what we have set out to do. We look to what we will become as our hope and joy in trying times.
15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My Name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually (2 Chronicles 7).
The LORD will be receptive to our prayers and turn His attention to us, because He has chosen us and sanctified us, and His Name will be in us forever. We are the dwelling place of The Presence of God, being built into the likeness of Christ. Everything that pertains to us; our roles, careers, talents, personalities, resources and relationships are building blocks to make us complete and acceptable in Christ.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God; 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in Whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in The Lord, 22 in Whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2).
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