Author:
tim
[ Edit | View ]
|
Date Posted: 09:12:09 05/27/07 Sun
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." - Collosians 3:15
"In One Body"
It is that single-mindedness of the body of Christ that should differentiate us as believers from the unbelieving world. What we have in common, in Him, is so amazing that it cannot be contained or ever exhausted. Like any group of like-minded individuals who get together around a common interest, there is going to be great times of fellowship over whatever that common interest may be. But, with those of us who share Christ it is (or certainly should be) an inexhaustible supply! The entire New Testament brings to light our commonality of interest, in Him; and the Old Testament is alive with the history of God's people building up to that great moment in time which gave birth to The Way and The Truth that leads to The Life, which is in Christ; again this is the life that we all share in as believers; it is eternal life! It starts here and now in this moment and goes on forever! Wow!
Please excuse my attempt to put down in words what is so awesome, because it obviously cannot be properly described with mere words, or even in song. It can only be lived out in the life of the believer, through the trials, temptations and constant renewal, one moment at a time, one day at a time. What an awesome privilege we have; the choice to live ever conscious of this great Truth.
We have the choice every moment to live in Covenant with the God who created the universe! The Bible tells us that He will never break His Covenant with His people. This is true because He never changes; Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the Lord, I do not change." and Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever."
Always, always, always, it is up to us and us alone to make the choice in whom we will believe. Will we choose our circumstances over God's perfect will? In Deuteronomy Chapter 30 the benefits of choosing to return to God and His Covenant are clear! If you've never seen it clearly before, look for yourself. His Covenant is available to any and all who choose to enter it with Him. And if you've already chosen Jesus as your Lord and Savior, praise God! You have a clue in that your life has changed because you have entered into a relationship with God through His Son.
With further study and prayer, I believe that you will see, as I do this morning, that this relationship is a covenant and that it is based on the same Covenant that God commanded Moses to make with His people, the Israelites. In the New Testament this covenant has been expanded to include all people, including the Gentiles who enter into relationship through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The key to understanding what this Covenant relationship means for you and me today is the same as it was in the beginning. In Deuteronomy Chapter 29 the Abrahamic Covenant (described in Genesis 17) is renewed through Moses to the people in the land of Moab. In Deut 30 and starting in verse 11, it reads:
"For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you; not is it far off." And in verse 14; "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgements, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you go to possess."
This same blessing that was available to the people in Moses' day is available to each of us today!
and verse 17, "But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, and that you may obey His voice; and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
The Last Will and Testament of God - God's Word to us!
Amen!
T.O. 5/27/07
[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
|
Feedback: 