A-L-L

 

“The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.”

Matthew 15:25

Let me ask you a question.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ what compartment of your life need not yield to His Lordship?

Finances? Relationships? Family? Future Plans? Career?

Of course the list could go on and on.

And the obvious answer is that all parts of our lives need to come under His Lordship.  

But perhaps there are a couple of areas you are struggling to surrender right now.

Here’s the good news:

God meets us where we are.

Each of us is a work in progress.

Yes, I know that you’ve heard those words before but they apply to His Lordship as well.

For example, I did not surrender my life to Him one moment and beginning tithing the next.

He did not banish me form His presence because of that!

The Holy Spirit works in each of our lives bringing us closer in surrender to the Lord throughout our days.

I am not fully surrendered to His Lordship 100% and I suspect neither are you.  

But we used to pray –

Lord: Make me willing to be made willing.

I think that is an honest request and I believe God honors it.

So let me challenge you with this –

Are you willing to be made willing to surrender ALL to Him as Lord?

Something to consider!

Savior and Lord

 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

Luke 6-46

In their simplest forms -

Savior is defined as: one who brings salvation.

Lord is defined as: one having power and authority over others.

While they are two quite different things, when it comes to our faith in Jesus Christ as both savior and Lord they have at least one thing in common.

We are given the choice.

He is savior to ‘whosever will’.

He is Lord when we, in obedience, surrender to His Lordship.

Surely, the day will come when “...every knee shall bow...” to Him as Lord but today He stands at the door and knocks.

He does not beat it down.

He invites our surrender.

We are all offered the wonderful gift of salvation.

            Sadly, some refuse Him as Savior.

Others readily accept the gift of salvation but are unwilling to let Him lead their lives.

A half surrender is no surrender at all.

We are all given the choice.

You know Him as savior.

Do you also know Him as Lord?

 

 

 

A Tree Loaded with Provision

 Note: I had taken some time away from the blog but with this posting am returning. While I cannot guarantee there will be a new post every day I do hope that when they are posted they prove to bless, encourage and challenge you in your walk with the Lord - Stephen 

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!”

Luke 12:27-28

 

As I sit at my laptop writing this post I can look out my window to a beautiful and bountiful Mountain Ash tree.

Yes, with the late September days it is beginning to lose its’ leaves but that reveals how laden the branches are with berries.

Berries that will be provision over the cold winter months of Western New York for those bids that do not migrate south.  

What a wonderful reminder that is that even in the coldest, and darkest seasons of our lives God provides for our needs.

He reminds us through the simplest things sometimes that He is faithful always.

I am grateful for that reminder.

How about you?

Sure, it is much easier to focus on lack or fear of lack but how about instead we turn our attention to the goodness and faithfulness of our God.

Take some time today to recall the goodness and the blessing of God in times past in your life and trust Him for the future.

He does not change.

He was faithful then, He is faithful now and He will be faithful in the days ahead; 

no matter what they hold!

 

 

 

We Remember

 

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13

May you take a few moments today to remember and honor those wo made the ultimate sacrifice so that you can enjoy your freedom and liberty today.

Whether you are a citizen of the United States or of another country know that freedom is not free.

Memorial Day is a day to call to mind the sacrifice of others made for you and me.

Poured Out

 

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,

shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38 

  

Here is a bit of an ironic statement to consider…

As you pour into others, you will find yourself being filled up.

Now, on the surface that statement seems untrue.

After all if I empty myself in serving others how can I be filled up?

Do you want to know the secret?

It is by not taking a willy-nilly, shotgun approach in serving others.

We are to serve by following the promptings and leadings of the Holy Spirit.

I suppose some history book somewhere can tell me what the population of the earth was when Jesus walked on it; but you probably could agree that He personally ministered to a small percentage of that population. 

And we certainly cannot argue over the impact He had on those He ministered to!

You and I may not be able to personally minister to the billions on planet Earth today.

But I can and should minister to those the Holy Spirit causes to cross my path.

As I do, I find myself almost simultaneously being emptied and being filled.

As you and I obediently and faithfully pour out to others God abundantly and lavishly pours back into us.

The comfort you gave another today is returned to you as joy.

Perhaps the wisdom you shared with a confused individual so desperate to hear from God comes back to you in the form of an answer you have been waiting on God for.

Maybe you poured yourself into someone else today just by offering a listening ear and discovered patience extended to you from your boss the likes of which you had never seen before from him.

You simply cannot out give God.

He overtakes you with blessings beyond your greatest expectations.

Have you been feeling a bit empty lately?

Maybe it’s time to begin pouring into others!

Infinitesimally Small or a Deep Chasm – God is on the Other Side

 

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:35-39

Can I ask a huge favor of you?

Really, are you sure?

O.K., here it is –

Please go back and read the verses above again.

I know we have all read them perhaps dozens or more times but let it really sink in.

The Bible is rife with the stories of men and women who faced great challenges and either stayed close to God through them (Hannah comes to mind) or returned to God after a season of anger or rebellion (I think of David)

Some of the struggles recorded were heartbreaking: barrenness, betrayal or the loss of a child.

God knows are anguish but He also is with us in every moment, through every tear and even every raised fist to him.

Many today tell of leaving the church because of something quite small by comparison.

They were upset with this or that but in the end it really was not a significant reason.

Sadly, more often than not they not only leave a church, they leave the church.  

But even in this please understand that the love of God chases after you,

calling you back to a place of fellowship with Him and with His family.

If you find yourself in a place like that please know that God’s love will not forsake you.

Return to Him and let Him heal the wounds that have been inflicted.

They may be self-inflicted or caused by others.

Don’t allow those wounds to make you draw back.

He is waiting....

Run Away or Draw Near?

 

“But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

Psalm 73:28 

Stop and consider this question:

What is it that you most value in life?

Is it family?

Is it reputation?

How about financial security, prestige or power?

There is a story in the bible of a man named Job.

Job lost all that he valued – all of those things we just listed – and more.

But wait a minute; I know what you’re thinking.

“Surely”, you say, “Job must have done something wrong to have had all of this happen to him.”

Really?

Have you ever had something wrong happen at a time in your life when you are doing everything right?

Job was not reaping what he had sown just as we may sometimes find ourselves in a crisis not of our own making.

It is exactly in those seasons when we can choose to run away from or draw near to God.

The easy way is, of course, to run away.

And it is a path lined with cheerleaders too.

Why even in Job’s life the life coach advising him to run was his wife.

Here were her words to him:

“...Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!"

Job 2:9

It seems everyone who was anyone had counsel to offer Job.

In our moments of struggle it is not uncommon for well-meaning friends to offer advice.

But their advice is not always godly.

Be wise about who you listen too, especially in moments of crisis, trial and temptation.

Remember that the devil came to tempt Jesus after forty days of fasting in the wilderness.

Don’t allow him to exploit the moments you are weak to further weaken your resolve.

In those moments do not choose to run away from God, instead choose to draw near!

 

But I’m Saved, Why is This Happening?

 

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 59:19b (KJV)

“I beg your pardon

I never promised you a rose garden

Along with the sunshine

There's gotta be a little rain sometime”

 

Nope, you won’t find those words in the Bible.

They were from a country song sung by Loretta Lynn many years ago.

But I think those words often capture what we think it means when we surrender our lives to Jesus.

All sunshine and bright skies for the rest of our lives!

But that is NOT what the Bible promises as we can see clearly from the words of Jesus in our introduction.

Most people approach the words of Jesus in the verse above like an Oreo cookie.

I’ll take the peace and the overcomers’ heart on each end of the verse but I don’t want any part of the ‘trouble’ spoken of in the middle.

Guess what?

It doesn’t happen that way.

The Book of Job reminds us:

“Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7

And if you have spent any time around a campfire you know sparks fly upward!

So reconcile yourself to two irrefutable facts –

First, that trouble and crisis come to all – whether believers or not but second and most importantly that in the midst of those seasons we can claim this promise:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

Don’t Try Harder, Rely Harder!

 

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him...”

Isaiah 59:19b (KJV)

 

 

What do you do when “…all hell breaks loose…” as the proverbial saying goes?

How do you respond when anything and everything that could go wrong, does?

I once heard a little poem offering this advice:

“When in danger, when in doubt,

run in circles, scream and shout!”

Not exactly a biblical admonition, is it?

So what would you do?

How about prayer?

How about calling out to the Name of The Lord?

How about when the storm tries to blow you over, you lean harder on the LORD.

Too often, we try harder to stand on our own.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

This is sound advice offered in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Don’t try harder, don’t lean on your own wisdom, education,

purse strings, family ties, reputation or skill.

None of these things can deliver you in the day of trouble.

When all hell comes against you, hide in the secret place of the

Most High and lean harder on Him!

You will find that He is that very present help in time of trouble!

 

I am Weak, but You are Strong

 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.”

Luke 22: 42-43

 

“Who do you think you are?”

Have you ever been asked that question right after you boasted or made a

 bold claim to be able to do something?

The other person was, in essence, questioning your ability to achieve whatever you were claiming to be able to do. 

I wonder how many times God has, by His Holy Spirit,

asked that question of you and me?

Probably more times than we would be willing to admit.

You see, our pride often gets the best of us and keeps us from humbly asking for the help we need.

In the scriptures quoted above we find that even Jesus found Himself in a place of weakness.

The Father is not in the business of sending His angels on (if you’ll excuse the expression) wild goose chases so I must conclude that if Jesus was strengthened by the angel God sent to Him then He must have been in need of that strength.

In other words, He was weak.  

That may offend some who are accustomed to weakness being the equivalent of sin.

Weakness is not sin.

Weakness can easily lead to sin when, in our pride,

we fail to admit our weaknesses and our need for strength.

Jesus was without sin and Jesus was weak.

He knew that in His weakness, His Father would give strength and so He did not succumb to that weakness but was ministered to by the angel sent from His Father.

God wants to strengthen you when you are weak.

Are you prepared to confess that weakness and call out to Him who is our strength?

Warship or Sailboat?

 

 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

II Corinthians 10:4

 

 

Going into battle would you choose a warship or a sailboat?

More specifically, would you elect to face your enemy with a fully loaded nuclear powered aircraft carrier or a wind driven sailboat?

Seems like one of those ‘no-brainers’ doesn’t it?

But hold on one moment.

Did I mention that the wind power was the wind of the Holy Spirit?

Oh, so now you want to pick again?

All the combined technology and might of the armies of the earth are as nothing,

absolutely nothing against the Almighty God whom we serve.

You could take an entire nuclear powered fleet outfitted for battle and they simply cannot stand if they move in defiance of the Living God.

Don’t shrink back when God says:

“The wind of the Spirit is beginning to blow.”

Who can stand against our God?

King Jehoshaphat was not a seafaring man but he was a God fearing man.

God brought a most unconventional victory to him when the worshippers went before the army.

You can read about it in II Chronicles Chapter 20

Ask any graduate of the War College if what he did makes sense.

 Of course it doesn’t – by natural standards!

But our God will do exploits through those whose sails are filled with the wind of His Spirit.

No matter how giant that enemy is.

Are you ready to set sail with God?

 

Time to Raise those Sails

 

 “The wind blows wherever it pleases.

You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.

So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

John 3:8

Have you ever considered that one of those things moved by the wind of the Holy Spirit might be you?

When I hear or read this verse I often picture the impact of the wind on the leaves of a tree.

With that picture, we understand well how we cannot see the wind but can certainly see its impact.

Does the wind of the Holy Spirit propel you forward in the assignment He has for you?

Could it be that we are sometimes impacted greatly and at other times the wind blows right through us?

Pastor shared a vision of the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing on a large lake.  

On that lake were a variety of sailboats.

Some were more prepared than others to be propelled forward.

Have you trimmed your sails?

Are you prepared to move forward by the wind of the Holy Spirit?

Or have you yet to raise those sails?

Are you even in the boat?

There are so many things to consider as we move forward in the days ahead.

I am reminded of a passage of scripture we would do well to consider:

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.

Night is coming, when no one can work.”

John 9:4

It is  well past time to raise those sails!

 

 

 

 

Nip it in the Bud!

 

 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29

 

Suppose we had the ability to review every word you have ever spoken.

I mean from your very first “Ma-ma” as a baby until the words you uttered just moments ago.

Now, let’s further suppose that we could then separate out two distinct groups of words.

We would take every word expressing gratitude and every word of complaint.

Now place those words on a scale.

You know the kind that blind justice holds in her hands –

Yes, you’ve figured out where I am going with this.

So how would you fare?

Would the scales balance out?

It is something to consider.

We were challenged recently to consider our complaining and the impact it has on us, on others and how God responds to it.

If you are like me you can use some work in that area.

I asked the Holy Spirit to help me, in the words of Barney Fife,

 “nip it in the bud”

when I am tempted to complain.

Can you guess the type of week I am experiencing? LOL!

Every opportunity to complain just keeps presenting itself.

I’d like to tell you I’m batting a thousand but then I wouldn’t be telling the truth.

What I want to encourage you with today is to move in the right direction.

Be aware of your words especially any complaining.

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring it to your attention so that you can

“Nip it in the bud!”

 

 

From Your Lips to God’s Ear

 

 “When the Lord heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore:

“No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors,

Deuteronomy 1:34-35

God hears us when we speak.

Sometimes we may think the only time He listens to us is when we pray.

But His eyes and His ears are open to us day and night.  

Do you remember your response when the job offer was not extended?

He heard that.

When your political ‘commentary’ was shared with the family, He heard that too!

Of course we all have the same twenty-four hours in a day and it is our choice how we use those seconds, minutes and hours to express ourselves.

Do we spend an overwhelming amount of that time complaining?

If we do, we must understand that the fruit of our lips will not be very sweet tasting to us, to others and especially to our Father in heaven.

Complaining is not pretty; as a matter of fact it is downright ugly.

Twelve spies went into the Promised Land.

What they saw set some, actually the majority, to complaining.

Only two, Joshua and Caleb expressed gratitude at the Promise the Land held for them.

Rather than complain, they expressed the faith that God was well able to give the land to them.

But complaining won the day – it is highly contagious after all.

Don’t let your day be ruled and ruined with a mouth full of complaints.

Choose instead to express gratitude even in the difficult moments.

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

    be pleasing in your sight,

    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

 

Don’t Let Your Past Steal Your Future

 

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children...”

Genesis 16:1a

 

Our past tries to creep ever so ominously into our present.

And when we dwell on our past mistakes, missteps and failures,

we can rob ourselves of a future promise.

Fortunately for us, God is bigger than our past.

Sarah and Abraham found that out.

Her empty womb mocked her and called to her from her past so much so that it was not easy to believe the promise of God to give them a child.

Maybe your past has tried to tell you something other than the future blessings God has promised you.

You must resist the urge to question the past.

 Instead, hold fast to the promise of God, even when you don’t see how it could possibly be.

God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah came to pass.

Probably not on a timeline they would have chosen.

We must not surrender the fulfillment of a future promise by

trusting in the experiences of days gone by.  

Take a lesson from Abraham:

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief;

but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

Romans 4:20-21

I think this Shortcut will Work

 

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children.

But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram,

“The Lord has kept me from having children.

Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

Genesis 16:1-2

 

Have you ever taken a shortcut only to find out it was anything but?

What you thought would shave a few minutes off your trip ended up adding thirty.

Or how about that shortcut you took at work?

No one would be harmed by a little quicker way of fixing the equipment.

But then the bill comes after a serviceman was called to repair your ‘shortcut’.

It’s probably safe to say that we’ve all tried shortcuts that didn’t quite work out as we planned.

Abraham and Sarah tried one once.

The world is still reaping the consequences of that failed shortcut.

When it comes to waiting on God for the fulfillment of promises He has made to you, there are no shortcuts.

We must learn to resist the desire to give in!

Take a shortcut, it won’t matter.

But then it does.

Don’t short circuit the unfolding of God’s purposes for your life.

If He has spoken a word to you, hold fast to that word.

He is trustworthy to bring it to pass.

We, on the other hand, well...just remind yourself of those unsuccessful shortcuts the next time you are tempted to give in or short circuit the efforts of God!

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Hebrews 10:23

 

 

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttt!

 

“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised.

Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age,

at the very time God had promised him.

Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.

When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him.

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.”

Genesis 21:1-5 

Short on the patience but long on the wait.

All too often that seems to be the case when we receive a promise from God.

We are the short on the patience part and God, of course, is the long on the wait part!

Why?

Why can’t I just once experience the suddenly of God?

Your answer is found in your question.

God promises and then He brings you through some experiences of life.

Not just any experiences but those that mature you, those that grow you, those that prepare you for His promise to be fulfilled in you.  

Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah.

But so much more than just a name change happened in the in-between time...

...Including an effort made in the flesh called Ishmael.

How about you?

Does your wwwwaaaaaiiiiitttttttt include some moves outside of His will?

Yep, mine too.

So let’s go here together –

Father

Your work in us is filled with promises to us.

Forgive us for impatience on our part.

We hear those promises and like a child eager to open the gift before the birthday celebration we dig right in forging ahead in our own strength and purpose instead of waiting on you.

Teach us to wait patiently on you.

Teach us the wonder of knowing the promises fulfilled in their appointed time.

Strengthen us in our moments of weakness to hold fast and continue to hold on for the promise you have spoken to us.

We ask this in the matchless name of your Son Jesus.

Amen!

 

Take the Risk – Love the Saints

 

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in

Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,”

Colossians 1:3-4 

Right now, the enemy of the church is working overtime to create division within our ranks.

We have always had Baptists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Charismatics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and on and on.

Each has their own doctrinal distinctive which can often serve better to divide than unite.

We have pre-tribulation and post-tribulation rapture camps.

We have always had the feuds about music styles and what kinds of instruments are acceptable in worship, what is the local churches role in the community, the work and evidence of the Holy Spirit in the church and so forth

There are very few days that pass that we don’t hear of some church that has split because of this or that but now - 

We have the masked and the unmasked

We have the vaccinated and the unvaccinated

We have the go to church crowd and the stay at home crowd

It seems like we have a whole new set of reasons, another whole layer added just so we can disagree and in turn, struggle to love all the saints.

But this challenge is hardly new.

Look at the division that existed in Jesus’ day between Jews and Samaritans.

The Samaritans were looked down upon as ‘half-breeds’ by most Jews.

And if the Samaritans were considered unworthy by the Jews consider the even more intense rift between Jew and Gentile.

How about the divisions among the rulers of the Jews? It seems the only unifying theme between the often feuding Pharisees and Sadducees was their mutual hatred of Jesus.

There were divisions between genders, between Romans and Jews and on and on the list went even back then.

So let’s not think that Paul’s recognition in his letter to the Colossians of their love for all the saints was somehow easier back then than it is today among different folks.

Few things in life are riskier than love.

Perhaps loving all the saints is a risk for you.

Let me be even more direct, sooner or later, loving all the saints will require risk and maybe even a bit of faith on your part!

Perhaps, like me, you are not normally a risk taker.

You like to play it safe.

Left to your own devices you would surround yourself only with others who are like you in so many ways. You try to create a risk free zone around your life but in so doing you must carefully consider that a risk free zone can also be a love free zone.

God Loves You – A Saint-in-Progress

 

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in

Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,”

Colossians 1:3-4 

Here’s a provocative question, so after I ask it, I hope you’ll still love me...

after all I am also a saint-in-progress just like you!

So here goes with my question -

Are there any prostitutes, deceivers or murderers reading this post?

I ask that rhetorically of course!

We must understand that God used some people maybe just a little different from me and you...and maybe just people who were a little tougher to love.

He used a prostitute (Rahab) to hide some spies and then, knowing her past, still He put her in the bloodline of the Messiah

He used a schemer and deceiver named Jacob who basically stole his father Abraham’s blessing. Yep, he’s in the bloodline too! 

God used an accessory to murder, Saul of Tarsus, and yet after his conversion he wrote a huge portion of the New Testament.

Keep in mind though that God loved each one of them while they were yet sinners!

So what has any of that got to do with loving all the saints?

Everything really!

If each of us is a work in progress then maybe, just maybe, we are called to love less than perfect people.

I know, I know, it sounds obvious but in practice it is very easy to forget. 

But here’s a fair question for you to ask:

“Since we are also called to love even our enemies wouldn’t loving the saints be a whole lot easier?”

You would think so but...

Not always.

You see we often keep our enemies at arm’s length, not so that

‘saint of a sister’ or that crazy saint brother in the seat behind me in church!

This question may be wearing on you but...

Do you have love for all the saints?

You Mean I Have to Love THAT Saint?

 

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in

Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,”

Colossians 1:3-4 

 

Here’s that pesky question yet again -

Do you have love for all the saints?

Maybe it’s not such a simple question after all!

It’s much easier to just answer yes but always a little tougher – no make that – a lot tougher to actually do it.

Here’s something I’ve discovered along the way and you would probably say “Me too”:

Among all the saints are some people who hold very different views on any number of topics than you do...

Well imagine that!

When you consider them, do you still have love for all the saints?

Among all the saints are some people who come from a significantly different culture...

Well imagine that!

When you consider those people you know, remember now it’s believers I’m speaking of, whose cultural traditions may be quite different from yours, tell me - do you still have love for all the saints?

Follow me now on this next one -

Also among all the saints are some people who may have hurt or offended you...

Ouch, well imagine that!

Sometimes saints can be so easily offended.

So, when you consider those ‘saints’ who have hurt or offended you,

can you still have love for all those saints?

See, I warned you this might not be such an open and shut question to consider!

In answering the question it might be helpful to consider Jesus.

In particular these words taken from Romans chapter 5 and verse 8:

“...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Or how about Hebrews 12:3 – Let me read that to you from the English Standard Version –

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself,

so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

So, while we were dirty rotten scoundrels in the presence of a holy, perfect, loving God, He sent His Son to die for us.

“...while we were yet sinners...”

You and me were in that group of ‘yet sinners’ but now we are part of ‘all the saints’.

How exactly did that happen?

Must have been amazing grace!

So, even after considering the grace that has been freely and lavishly applied to your life let me ask you one last time –

Do you have love for all the saints?

That is, for those offending, hurtful, culturally unlike and different point of view kind of saints?

Those are the saints I’m talking about!

Those are the saints we are commanded to love.

Those who were also ‘yet sinners’ like you and me.

 

A ‘Work-in-Progress’ Saint

 

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in

Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,”

Colossians 1:3-4

Scripturally speaking, the “saints” are the body of Christ,

Christians, disciples of Christ, believers, you and me.

All believers are considered saints.

Now chew on this for a moment:

All Christians are saints (present tense)—and at the same time are called to be saints (future tense).

So what’s going on here?

It’s simple really, we are saints positionally due to the finished work of Christ in us but we are also “saints-in-progress” through the process of sanctification.

First Corinthians 1:2 states it clearly:

 “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy…”

The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root as the word that is commonly translated “saints.”

So I suppose I could paraphrase 1st Corinthians 1:2 this way by substituting the word ‘saints’ where it now reads ‘sanctified’ and ‘holy’ and still keep the intention of the writer.

Here is what it would say:

To the church of God in Corinth, to those saints in Christ Jesus and called to be saints...

We see then both the positional status and the sanctification process in that one verse.

Christians are saints by virtue of their relationship to Jesus Christ.

Christians are called to be saints, that is to increasingly allow their daily life to more closely match their position in Christ.

This is the biblical description and calling of the saints.

So I ask you –

Do you love all the saints?

Do you love the work-in-progress believers that each one of us is?

Does your love allow for some immaturity as well as some imperfections

 in your fellow saints as well as in you?

Remember we are all a ‘work- in- progress’ saint!