Unusual People

This week, Micheal writes that a man or woman of God is not a person who has their act together.  Rather they are an individual saved by the grace of their Lord Jesus Christ. It's not whether or not we fall ... all men and women have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It's not how we handle success but how we handle the storms of life. We meet regularly so that we can comfort one another in the love of God ... so that we can edify and encourage one another. We're here so that we can “choke in the dust” as disciples (followers/students) who are in hot pursuit of their Lord Jesus Christ.

The spiritual battle rages on whether or not we're aware of it or acknowledge it. God gives us weapons to battle the evil one in the midst of the battle. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of this world) but spiritual (from God) to the pulling down of spiritual strongholds.

Holiness means that we're set apart for God's purpose. It means that we're unusual ... that we're outliers from a world of darkness. Jesus is at the "deep end of the pool." He says, "Come unto me." We have to give up our fears and our own priorities when He bids us "come." Therefore, if any man or woman is in Christ, they are a new creation.  Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. The newness of life is the spirit of Christ in me, the hope of glory.  

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

The church has been through a period of catering to “the goats of this world” (Matthew 25:31-33). These "Seeker Sensitive" churches forgot Jesus' words, "My sheep hear my voice, and they know me, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life" (John 10). The sheep are called out from among the world. We who have been “born again”, regenerated, born from above are a new creation. The question is, "Do you find your identity in Christ?"  

The first and great Commandment is "Love God above all." When we're in love, the first thing that comes out of our mouth is praise for the one we love. Love must be cultivated. It must be kept with all diligence.  As Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."  Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation.  For the Jew first and also to the Greek."

A crisis will show whether we're with Christ at the deep end of the pool of life. Oswald Chambers said, "When the crisis comes and courage is required, God expects his men to be the reliable ones." God expects us to saturate our hearts, Psalm 1:1-2 style ...  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

When we're different according to the purpose for which God's called us, we're uncomfortable with the things of the secular world.  God has set us within the body of Christ so that we can restore and correct one another in love. Biblical correction means to restore to an upright condition. Peter 5:6-9 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

The Word of God says in John 3:19-20 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” The Salt and Light of the Word of God disinfects the darkness and corruption of sin. According to Micah 6:8, “What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

We have access to the power of the Holy Spirit, having been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God. When we're filled with the spirit of life in Christ, we're a new creation.  The key is to “let go and let God”. Casting all your care on Him for He cares for you.  Freedom is being in captivity to Christ ... “For it is God who works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.” 

1 Peter 2:9  “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

May God richly bless you!

Your brother in Christ, Michael