Knowing Christ and making Him known
Within the church, there will always be differences of opinion, personality clashes, wrong thoughts, words and actions and various tensions because, this side of eternity, we’re all still sinners. The question is, when this happens, how will we respond?
‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’ (Ephesians 4:32)
The early church regularly came together to pray. That’s what the church does. What will you do with that fact? May we be a church committed to praying together.
What is the most practical thing you can do if you want to become a more loving person? Keep praying for a heart like Jesus’ heart!
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8:28)
Can you rest in this wonderful promise? If you can say that you love Jesus, there is great peace to found, even right in the middle of our suffering.
When, as Christians, we go through times of deep despair, depression, loneliness, pain or suffering, we instinctively just cry out ‘Father’. This cry is itself a sign that we are sons of the living God. In our times of great need, the Spirit ministers to us and enables us to cry out ‘Abba, Father’.
When we do, this is the hallmark of a believer. This is the cry of the child of God.
People often think their main problem is unhappiness. God knows our deepest problem isn’t unhappiness but unrighteousness and powerlessness. So, in his kindness, he provides us with a Saviour and his Spirit. He provides us with exactly what we need. And this leads to our eternal happiness, and more importantly, the glory of God: ‘… the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us.’ (Romans 8:4)
How good our God is.
God himself has called us to the ultimate goal; eternal fellowship with him in glory. This means he’s determined that we shall reach our destination. If God calls us to this race, and he does, you can be sure that he will provide all the grace we need to run, and we will finish.
Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth and the life. This is an exclusive claim. But it forces us to ask ourselves today, are we for Jesus or against him? Do we love him, or deep down, do we resent his claim over our lives? The Christmas story divides us. On which side do you land? It’s a matter of eternal life or death.
If you refuse God’s greatest gift what are you refusing? You are refuging his forgiveness, grace, peace, love and eternal life. Instead, be like the wise men. Worship the true King.
The name Jesus means ‘the LORD saves’. When we pray to Jesus asking him to forgive us, he does just that; He forgives us and we become friends with God. And at this point he comes into our lives and never leaves us. He is Immanuel – God with us both in this life and in the life to come.