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2010-01-06 - Be the Blessing
1 John 2:15, Do not love the world, nor the things
in the world. If any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in
him.
We live in the world, but we do not belong to it. We are likely to have a
troublesome time being in the world when we dont really belong here.
It is not an easy thing. There is stuff here. It is the kind of stuff that
we easily set our affections on, and then we are acting like we are part
of the world the world to which we are aliens and strangers. It is
a most difficult thing, to live among the ungodly and still be godly. It
takes work to keep our perspective. We mix with those who do not think like
us. We mix with those that we are not supposed to think like. Keeping an
eye on Christ, eternity, salvation, eternal life, sanctification, the living
God we serve, and our true mission here (2 Cor. 5:20), is not an easy task.
It is not about forsaking blue jeans or running shoes. Our separation is
more than outward appearances. We are separate in our hearts, morals, and
faith more than in appearances. The Christian seeks a truer life a
life lived in the presence of the Lord and part of that is our duty,
Do not love the world, nor the things in the
world.
A separated life do you have it? Do you keep to the narrow way? It
is the blessing of God that brings us there, and it is also His blessing
to be kept there. Each of us has cares and trials, but they are, to the believer,
blessed cares and blessed trials, because we live our lives unto the Lord.
The world is not our home. No one finds it easy to trust God in the hard
times. We believe His promises, and we trust His sovereignty. When we put
off anxiety, fears, and worry, what does the believer replace them with?
We replace these with contentment, a quiet heart, happiness in the things
God has given - rather than fear in what He has not, or has taken away. Our
life is a blessing from God. It is His gift. May I suggest one way we can
make this gift useful? God has certainly blessed us every one of us
- and I would like to suggest that part of loving the Lord more than the
world is our call to be a blessing to others.
Wherever you go, seek to be a blessing. The follower of Christ is light in
the darkness, wherever he/she is placed. Are you in a tough environment?
Do not seek easier ground. Stay right where you are, and be a light right
where God has placed you. There is no better place for a child of God, than
where light is needed. Count yourself rich, if God has given you opportunities
to serve Him where there are hard ground, little prospects, and much that
might make someone with weaker faith flee. What am I saying? I am saying
this: Be a blessing. Be a blessing right where you are. First find the blessing
that is given to you in Christ, and then share that blessing with those who,
as yet, dont know or cant understand the joy and peace that Christ
brings. Bring it to them. You might say, This is hard. It will mean
rejection. It likely means failure and heartache. Yes, this is true,
but this is exactly what living by faith looks like. Living by faith is seeking
to be the blessing where no blessing is present or sought. It is a high calling.
There are many who love the world too much to attain here. I encourage you
to go all out in this very area. Give your life to it: Be a blessing where
blessings are rare things.
Soli Deo Gloria,
T-
GodRulesTB@aol.com
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