Perspectives

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 … 4) I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5) For in him you have been enriched in every way-in all your speaking and in all your knowledge 6) because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7) Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8) He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9) God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (NIV1984)

Life has its ups and downs. Every person we know, or have ever known, and will ever know, has had to face tough issues. This is what the real world is like. For everyone, life is full of challenges. Positive ones and difficult ones; even so, we never seem to get used to it. Often we act surprised when those challenges come our way.

Even Christians have struggles. Sometimes we are not victorious. So many times we dread problems just like people who do not have any faith in God. The temptation is to get lost in the problem, to focus on it. As Christians we need to focus on what makes us unique. What makes us unlike people who do not know God, is that Christ is masterfully reshaping the spiritual side of our lives. Jesus is living his life in us and through us. However, I understand we need to learn to look at a problem as those who have the Divine Son of God living within us.

The Christian, after all, is called into a community whose boundaries include all earth and heaven. Can you imagine what this world would be like if all would lift their eyes beyond their own little circle and thought of themselves as a part of what God is doing throughout this wide world? No person, no Church has exclusive possession of Jesus Christ. True, He is our Lord but He is also the Lord of all humanity. It is remarkable that Christianity possesses all the love of Jesus Christ and that God loves each one of us as though there was only one of us to love.

Paul says that God has been faithful to give us all that we need. We are told that we have been given grace that we have been enriched in every way, that we do not lack any spiritual gift. The Bible teaches that every one of us here has been given a spiritual gift. Our task is to discover that gift and use it in serving others and in serving Christ. Our spiritual gift is a Divine empowerment to serve, and the only way we discover that gift is to begin to step out in faith in some area of service. God will use this process to lead you to that area of ministry in which you have been gifted. He has probably already placed a desire within your heart for some area of ministry. The Holy Spirit continues to invite you to act on that desire and see what God does with your calling.

You and I have been given a divine partnership. We have been given the privilege to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ. You and I, mere mortals, have been given the opportunity to come to Jesus Christ personally. We can actually interact with Him. We can communicate with Him through prayer; receive confirmation in our heart from Him that we truly belong to Him.

Remember: Our God is faithful! He has given us a divine calling. We are called to be holy. We are set apart for His service, dedicated to God. Through His grace we have been enriched. We have been given gifts whereby we encourage and teach one another. All we need, we already have. He has given us divine security. We are safe in his hands. Christ has promised to be with us to the end. You can share Him with others through your everyday activities and lives will be transformed. God is at work in all of this. God is the provider and the strength … because He is faithful.

All the best as you enjoy yourself this Thanksgiving Season

Would you pray this prayer with me … “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen