Christianity In Full Swing

Regardless of our commitment to ‘the faith’, at times we need to take a look at how we conduct ourselves as Christians. There is a certain requirement as Christians, and that is to love. Sounds basic doesn’t it? Well, sometimes with all the trials in life, we allow ourselves to get bogged down with day to day living and responsibilities. If we are to become fully-fledged Christians, then we are to commit ourselves fully to this path. We must aim to walk as Jesus did.

We must demonstrate to others what the walk of faith is all about. They must see for themselves all the good reasons why they should explore a relationship with the Lord and become Christians themselves. The key here is to set the example of how one should live in union with Jesus. The key is Jesus! Colossians 2:2-3 says “I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge.”

When we see how this works, we will have gained all the knowledge necessary on how to create a life worth living in harmony with the gospel. We will at times come into contact with those who are living a life less ordinary. It is written in Colossians 3:12-14 “You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.”

God wants us to be a demonstration of what Christianity is really about. It requires much effort on your part to remain firm and committed to the truth. There are many distractions that are part of living here on Earth, that have a way of redirecting our attention elsewhere.

We need to constantly remember that Jesus lives within us, and we must refocus our attention back to Him. With all the noise and clutter that act as constant intrusions, it is sometimes quite challenging to do this. We must train ourselves to live in close communion with the Lord. The more we practice this, the easier it becomes. We find ourselves living more closely with Him, and coming to Him with all of our decisions and choices. Colossians 3:15-17 says “The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father. Amen.

PS Colossians 2:6-7 says “Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.” Amen.

All glory goes to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit whom I believe as always have guided me with these words. Amen.

The Fruits of the Spirit

Love seems to be the topic on everyone’s lips. There are many stories, poems, movies and songs written about love. It is what each and every heart desires. When we give love, we are sowing a seed, which germinates and eventually blossoms and returns to us fulfilled.

God’s word is love. His word never returns back to us void, which means that with every promise, he will personally see to it that it reaches back to us in its conclusion. Isaiah 55:11 NKJV says “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void. But it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Joy is not just a feeling. It is a state of mind that can be reached through serving and walking with Jesus. Joy comes to you when you know who you are in Christ. Once you know who you really are in the Kingdom of God, you simply cannot help but be joyful! Isaiah NKJV 65:14 says “Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart.”

Peace is what you get when you wholeheartedly follow Jesus trusting Him to take care of all your needs. With Jesus in charge of our daily lives, everything turns out according to His wondrous plans He has for us. Romans 5:1-2 NKJV says “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Patience is what we must have when standing on the promises of God. His word is true and faithful, and it is only going to be a matter of time before He makes your dreams come true. Isaiah 30:18 TNIV “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him!”

Kindness is what we must seek to bear witness to the everlasting love of God. Be kind to yourself and others, and live accordingly in the House of God. He will see your efforts to be true and as such reward you in your diligence. 2 Corinthians 6:6 says “By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God’s servants.”

Goodness is what you experience when you come to understand the very nature and heart of God. He will see to it that you are shown goodness and mercy for all the days of your life, once you find in yourself the true meaning of what it is to be of one mind with God’s will. Psalm 84:11 TNIV says “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honor, no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Faithfulness is what you see when you entrust your very life into the hands of God almighty. He will see you through every storm and calamity so that you shall indeed come out on top! You will have success in all you do. 2 Corinthians TNIV 9:10 says “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

Humility is what you must show one another, so that God can bestow His favour upon you. This is how He wants us to comport ourselves within the Body of Christ. 1 Peter 5:5-6 TNIV says ‘All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble and oppressed. “ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.’

Self-control comes to those who are ‘practiced’ in God’s word. It comes with the maturity in His teachings and the knowledge that we are being taken care of until the day we die. Titus 1:7-9 says “Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who lives what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Amen.

PS Galations 5:22-23 says “But the spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.” When we walk in the spirit, we can be fruitful for God, allowing Him to fulfil His great many purposes through us, in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen.

As always, all glory for these writings go to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit whom I believe have guided my hand today. Amen.