Individuals, or pieces of One picture?
How does the Lord God (i.e. the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ) see us his children?
How does he see his Assembly - i.e the body(Church) of the believers/Faithful?
How do you see God's children?
As individuals or part of your family?
The best way to understand God is through his words recorded in the bible not through our own human reasoning.
This is how he describes himself:
''...The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.'' Exodus 34:6-7
We know our rights in Christ and we must always stand firm in the liberty that Christ purchased for us. However to stand as one, we remember Paul's injunction and the Lord's prayer:
"You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue as you are, letting peace hold you together." Ephesians 4:3 ERV
''I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.'' John 17:22-23
We have the ability and choice to see the good in the different parts of Christ's body. But the decision remains ours. When you have a heart to unify the church, your standard for success is like a God's: the prosperity of each member and the cohesiveness of His family. Your joy comes from the success of all not from their failures. We are not naive when we choose to extol their virtues and not their faults.
''Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.''1 Peter 4:8
The story of David's many woes amidst his many victories sometimes comes to mind. He was innocent of some of his challenges but others were brought on by his own wrong actions. I particularly remember, as he fled from his son Absalom (who had just usurped his throne), the words of Shimei - a relative of King Saul his predecessor :
" As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”''
(2 Samuel 16)
Had David murdered? Yes - he slyly ordered the murder of Uriah to cover up his adultery. 2 Samuel 11
Had he been punished by the Lord? Yes, he had.
Had he genuinely repented? Yes, he had.
Did God know this? Yes: and he had accepted his repentance.
In fact his repentance and punishment was recorded:
'' Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Nathan said to David, “The Lord will forgive you, even for this sin. You will not die. But you did things that made the Lord’s enemies lose their respect for him, so your new baby son will die.” 2 Samuel 12:13 -14
Did Shimei know David had been forgiven? Maybe not. Even if he did, humans are not like YHWH: they remember sins - sometimes forever! We however, are to be like our heavenly father, with a mind like his, not like Shimei's.
Yesterday, I celebrated as HTB church (UK) inducted a new Vicar and I got to show gratitude to the Vicar stepping-down for his generosity. Today, I am celebrating (and getting inspired) by the Worldwide Reachout being launched live by Christ Embassy today and tomorrow. The victory of one part of the church, is the victory of the whole body - that is the Kingdom mentality. So,
"Join in this global infiltration of the Gospel in every city, town, and village in every country through God’s Word accountably through the “ReachOut World Campaign.”
Here is the link to the live launch:
We are all capable of doing great things for God's kingdom by His power at work in us. Halleluyah!
It might be your turn next and we the Church will most certainly rejoice and applaud you! Be encouraged and inspired!
''Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.'' Romans 12:15
''Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.'' Colossians 3:15
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