We who are Jews by nature and not sinners like the Gentiles, know that no one is justified by the works of the law, but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ, and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:15-16
“But, if while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law, died to the law that I might live to God.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, those things that we have given up for Christ’s sake, let us not turn back, and make God’s crucifixion be in vain; because we who seek justification from God will never be justified by the works of the law. We who have been saved have been crucified with Christ, and, it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us; and the lives we now live that we live in the flesh; we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. Therefore, let us count ourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
“I’ve wandered far away from God, now I’m coming home; the paths of sin too long I’ve trod, Lord, I’m coming home. Coming home, coming home, nevermore to roam; open wide Thine arms of love; Lord, I’m coming home.”
Lord, “I’ve wasted many precious years, now I’m coming home; I now repent with bitter tears, Lord, I’m coming home. I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord, now I’m coming home; I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word; Lord, I’m coming home. My soul is sick, my heart is sore, now I’m coming home; my strength renewed, my hope restored; Lord, I’m coming home.” Lord, I am so thankful, that no matter where I have been, or what I have done, I have a place to call home and now I am coming home. Thank you, Lord!
When I find myself in difficult situations, after I’ve had a rough day, when I have decisions to make, I draw strength from, I take comfort in knowing, that, there is someone who is greater and bigger than I, who is reaching out to me, saying, “Come!” That one word is so powerful; I hear in that word, love, forgiveness, welcome, rest, burdened, weary, receive, pardon, healing, salvation, and so much more. What do you hear?
“Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am, though tossed about, with many a conflict, many a doubt; fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind; yes, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! Just as I am, Thy love unknown, has broken every barrier down; now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!”
“My God, accept my heart this day, and make it always thine, that I from thee no more may stray, no more from thee decline.” Amen!
“Before the cross of him who died, behold, I prostrate fall; let every sin be crucified, and Christ be all in all. Anoint me with thy heavenly grace, and seal me for thine own; that I may see thy glorious face, and worship near thy throne. Let every thought and work and word, to thee be ever given, my life shall be of thy service, Lord, my heart will be your home.”
“Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom his world rejoices; who from our mothers’ arms, has blessed us on our way, with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. O may this bounteous God, through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts, and blessed peace to cheer us, to keep us in his grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills, of this world in the next. All praise and thanks to God, the Father now be given, the Son and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven, the one eternal God, whom heaven and earth adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.”
“Every good gift and every perfect thing comes from above from our Heavenly Father, who made everything, who never changes and therefore will not change like shifting shadows.”
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians 4:7 – All that we have are gifts from God. We did not gain anything by our own strength. Give God thanks!
Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17
My brothers and sisters in Christ, what is the gift that God has given you to use to bring him honor and glory? Are you aware of the gift? Too many of us are still trying to find out what our God-given talent is. Some say that they don’t have a gift, and try to chase after someone else’s gift; but, I want to assure you if you are in doubt, that, God has given each one of us a unique gift. We may possess the same gift, but it was meant to be used in a way unique to us. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 7, that, each one of us should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to us and to which God has called us. But, some of us get carried away with our gifts and instead of using them to bring God honor and glory, we use it for our own selfish gains. But, scripture reminds us, that, we are not superior to anyone, and all that we have received are gifts from God, and that if we receive his gifts that we should not boast in ourselves, but boast in the Lord. Our gifts should be used to encourage and uplift all those we connect with, so as to bring God honor and glory.
Romans 12:6 teaches us, that, God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking God’s word, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. Let us try to use the gifts that God has given us humbly, consistently, cheerfully, and for God’s glory, not for our own benefit, but to lift up our brothers and sisters.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, “Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function; in the same way, even though we are many people, we are one body in Christ and individual parts connected to each other.” Romans 12: 3-5
“Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. In his presence there is fullness of joy!”
Have you ever taken the time to just be still and enjoy God’s presence? There are three significant things that will take place if you just take the time to be still in God’s presence – recollection, reflection and meditation. Try it! “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually. In God’s presence there is fullness of joy!”