Author: astherainandsnow

“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

“‘What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived’—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

“these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things… for,

‘Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?^‘

“But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Paul delineates clearly between wisdom of the age and wisdom from God. There is much natural man cannot and will never understand, apart from the ministry of the Holy Spirit. None can know the mind of the Lord, His secret wisdom and infinite treasures, except what is revealed by divine power. Paul’s very description compels the church to wonder, and delve, and discover, the depths of God. (Romans 11:33-36; Ephesians 1:3-14)

Man’s wisdom is limited and temporal; God’s wisdom is eternally decreed. For the believer, a wisdom that existed before the ages becomes ours as we are increasingly sanctified and grow in spiritual understanding. The indwelling Christ who gives life imparts insight and understanding alien to the world. Do we crave it?

Distinguished as God’s people who hold God’s treasures in jars of clay and can see the world through the lens of an eternal perspective, we have the responsibility to hone spiritual wisdom while conveying it to the blind, unbelieving world. Filled with and led by the Spirit, we should do this with comprehension, patience, and compassion. Our handling of God’s secrets reveals how we value them. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

How eager am I to grow in spiritual wisdom? How committed am I to daily disciplines, dependent on the Holy Spirit? As I do increase my understanding of the word, God, and how He works, how am I applying what has been trusted to me? With whom am I participating in teaching, mentoring, admonishment, or edification? Spirit secrets known and shared glorify their source.

Lord, activate my imagination and desire to explore your infinite secrets by the power and enlightenment of your Spirit, and help me generously share them with others through words and actions that magnify You.

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“’I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’

“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Paul is always strategic with his words. He asks questions that make his readers think and dismantle many an argument. His logic is cogent and unnerving for the smartest of saints, unveiling their strutting as sham, putting all in their place before the mighty, merciful Savior. Earthly wisdom is mere folly compared to the Source of life. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Why is it that we are slow to recognize the folly of the world? Facades and thrones are alluring, and our flesh craves them both. When we put a premium on self-importance and controlling our lives, natural man resists any inconvenient truth. Only the Holy Spirit elucidates wisdom and ignites holy passion.

In what situations do we tend to strut our perceived greatness, be it experience, title, knowledge, or pedigree? Around whom are we condescending in thought or deed? What arrogance, or ignorance, or insecurity, causes us to snort and vie, compare and discriminate, find fault and put down, argue and rebuff, making fools of ourselves before the perfect God? Facing the gospel truth will dismantle pomposity and reorient our perspective.

When do we take time to ponder, and bless, the almighty Sovereign? When did we last so soak in His word and remain still in prayer that He spoke directly? How has He revealed a new facet of Himself, prompted a decision, or quickened our understanding? If we are not regularly contemplating His greatness and wisdom, we will default in the flesh to thinking too highly of ourselves. The key is not to think less of ourselves, but to think more of Him. (Job 38-39; 40:1-5)

Lord, keep me humbly dependent on and grateful to You as the source of life, wisdom, and righteousness, to Your praise.

“‘See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed… Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 1:21,29-32

Israel was a fickle people, faithful when they wanted to be, and wavering when fear loomed and circumstances were challenging. The faithless generation having died off through forty years of wilderness wandering, God’s people were on the brink of the promised land. His leader prepared them to enter and conquer in faith, recalling all He had done through the years. They knew His deeds, both first-hand and by the telling. Yet weak flesh won out over substance, and Moses called out their unbelief.

“Remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9

Just as the Lord has saved and carried us, He will continue. A wealth of examples in God’s Word tell of His wondrous deeds. We could never exhaust His works if we were to recount them from our own lives. At any command, we might assess our resources and muster our gumption to obey. Yet, when difficult situations arise, or temptation presents for quick solutions, we are still wont to waffle, and not take Him at His word.

What are we doing to store up a treasure trove of remembrances? How faithfully do we record God’s answers to prayer, His surprises? How deeply do we trust the God who has saved and gone before us? How effectively do we apply faith developed over time and times experiencing His sufficiency? Whom do we tell, and how do we pass along His works to the next generation? Circumstances will not shake those who believe that God continues just as He’s always done. (Psalm 37:5; 78:4; 103:2-13; 105:5)

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

 “Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.

Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, 
Lord unto me.” ~ Thomas Chisholm (1923)

Lord, help me remember Your deeds, reckon Your truths, and live in vibrant faith in Your constancy and greatness.

“You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,’
even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:5-16

Hemmed in, covered, led, held, shielded, formed, knitted, made, woven, name written. The handling of God is inescapable for His people. David, who had long known his God, knew full well that the Lord God knew him. Inside out, behind and before, his God who had formed him and held him was worthy of awe and praise.

The Lord’s hands are all over His children, all the time. This almighty One who formed us in our mother’s womb holds us daily as a reminder of His abiding presence, in hands on which our names are engraved. He leads us, prunes us, soothes our sorrows and touches our diseases. He holds us secure in salvation, never to let go. (Psalm 63:8; 73:23; Isaiah 41:10,13; 49:15-16; Matthew 8:2-3,15; John 10:28-29; 15:1-2)

We profess to believe in the Lord, yet worry and stew, as if we, or someone we love, might slide out of His sight and care. If we cannot escape His loving grasp, why do we fret? We say we believe His word, that His nail-scarred hands prove His love, yet doubt our worth. Why not take His hand in faith and confidence? It could be that though we give lip-service to owning ‘faith,’ we do not really know the substance, of object, of it. We recite promises, but do not rest in the truth of them, in the palpable strong arms of Jesus. When will we take time to review His handling of all that concerns us, and thank Him for it?

If we continually ponder the works of God’s hands, and His meticulous, loving, wise involvement in His world and our personal lives, we will naturally respond with hands stretched out to Him. To return Him gratitude, will we lift our hands in surrender of our work and praise of His? He alone deserves our loyal trust and joyful exaltation. (Psalm 90:17; 92:4; 141:2; 143:5-6)

Lord, may I constantly rejoice in the blessedness of being God-handled, and live out Your influence and enabling, to Your glory.

“I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me.., after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there… After I have completed this task and made sure they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way… 

“I urge you… to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me… that I may be kept safe… and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received.., so that I may come to you with joy… and be refreshed… The God of peace be with you all.

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon in Cenchreae… to give her any help she may need…
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me…
Greet my dear friend Epenetus…
Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles…
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test…
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
Greet Rufus and his mother, who has been a mother to me.
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers and sisters with them.
Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.” Romans 15:24-25,28,30-16:10,12-16

Paul’s letters were meaty and instructional, and always laced with love and affection. His ministry of the gospel was compelled by gratitude to the God who saved him and love for God’s people, and his written communication conveys both. The richness of fellowship he shared with all his churches was continually stirred up and promoted in his writing. He would not be with them forever, but intimate joy of fellowship among the believers would endure.

The arms of God that are not too short to save are wide to embrace and underneath to sustain his people. He envelops us in love so we catch His heartbeat, and upholds us by His power. We have the indescribable privilege of participating in glad, strengthening fellowship within His Body. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 59:1; Hebrews 1:3)

What delights of fellowship am I enjoying, and engendering? With whom am I communicating about God’s deeds and prayer needs? How appreciative am I of ministries that are different from my own? Where am I giving personally, or passing along what I have been given, to meet the needs of fellow Christians?

Whom do I specifically name in my prayers, and how regularly do I pray for them? In what ways do I show care and compassion? How quick am I to commend, encourage, and build up? When is the last time I wrote a note or embraced someone with God’s love? The Lord composes His Body of different and interconnected people who together build the church and bring Him glory. (Ephesians 4:16; Hebrews 10:24-25)

Lord, help me build up, care, and love, to the joy of Your people and to Your delight.

“The scatterer has come up against you.
    Man the ramparts;
    watch the road;
dress for battle;
    collect all your strength.

“For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob
    as the majesty of Israel,
for plunderers have plundered them
    and ruined their branches.

“The shield of his mighty men is red;
    his soldiers are clothed in scarlet.
The chariots come with flashing metal
    on the day he musters them;
    the cypress spears are brandished.
The chariots race madly through the streets;
    they rush to and fro through the squares;
they gleam like torches;
    they dart like lightning.
He remembers his officers;
    they stumble as they go,
they hasten to the wall;
    the siege tower is set up.
The river gates are opened;
    the palace melts away;
its mistress is stripped; she is carried off,
    her slave girls lamenting,
moaning like doves
    and beating their breasts.
Nineveh is like a pool
    whose waters run away.
‘Halt! Halt!’ they cry,
    but none turns back.
Plunder the silver,
    plunder the gold!
There is no end of the treasure
    or of the wealth of all precious things.

Desolate! Desolation and ruin!
    Hearts melt and knees tremble;
anguish is in all loins;
    all faces grow pale!” Nahum 2:1-10

Watch for rebellion, watch for judgment! War and judgment are ugly and destructive as the sin that spawns them. The prophet declares that holy God is never mocked, nor does He tolerate sin. He will uphold His majesty. Rather than point the finger or take pleasure another’s ruin, God’s people must keep watch and seek to understand His working in the world. Tremble at His holiness, submit to His discipline, be willing to learn. (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 18:8-14)

God exists and does all things for His sake and glory. He acts in time and space so we might know and worship Him. His Spirit convicts of sin for our good and His glory, and when He judges sin it is for the same. We must neither grumble over His discipline nor gloat in another’s shame or reckoning, but humbly bow before the God who has been merciful toward us. He lovingly seeks out His own and saves without shaming or chastisement, and we can do the same. (Luke 15:4-7; John 16:8)

In the hum of life, our eyes can be so focused on details of today, or riveted by exciting opportunity, that we fail to look for what God is doing in the culture and nations. The tyranny of the urgent blinds us to the sad tyranny of people enslaved in sin, trapped in ignorance, or undergoing devastation. We jump to conclusions, blame, and wag the finger, and don’t stop to ponder God’s broader work, particular judgment, or expectation for us. Has the world’s desolation no meaning or conviction for us?

Do we pray with compassion for those under persecution and ruin? Do we take vengeful thoughts to the Lord, asking Him to guard our hearts and guide right thinking? How vigilantly do we keep watch on ourselves? Where have we been tripped up dismantling others’ motives and behavior and tricked into concluding we’re righteous in comparison, or above judgment? As God the Judge has extended grace to us, so may we to others. (Psalm 19:14; 139:23-24; Proverbs 4:23; Luke 17:3-4; Romans 12:19; Ephesians 4:32; Hebrews 10:30-31)

Lord, keep me trembling at Your holiness, and generous in grace and love.

“The Lord has brought about our vindication;
    come, let us declare in Zion
    the work of the Lord our God…

“Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon;
    make the watch strong;
set up watchmen;
    prepare the ambushes;
for the Lord has both planned and done
    what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon…

“It is he who made the earth by his power,
    who established the world by his wisdom…
Every man is stupid and without knowledge;
    every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols…
Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob,
    for… Israel is the tribe of his inheritance.

“You are my hammer and weapon of war:
with you I break nations in pieces;
    with you I destroy kingdoms…

“I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea before your very eyes for all the evil that they have done in Zion, declares the Lord.

“Behold, I am against you…
I will stretch out my hand against you,
    and roll you down from the crags,
    and make you a burnt mountain…
You shall be a perpetual waste,
    declares the Lord…
The land trembles and writhes in pain,
    for the Lord’s purposes against Babylon stand,
to make the land of Babylon a desolation,
    without inhabitant…

“Then the heavens and the earth,
    and all that is in them,
shall sing for joy over Babylon,
    for the destroyers shall come against them…
Babylon must fall for the slain of Israel,
    just as for Babylon have fallen the slain of all the earth.” Jeremiah 51:10,12,15,17,19-20,24-26,29,48-49

To Israel’s chagrin, Jeremiah prophesied harsh judgment, and to their hope, God’s vindication. The cruel instrument- Babylon- the Lord had used to punish Israel would itself be called to horrific account. His people could believe, in all their suffering, that one day, all would be well. (Psalm 30:5)

Many distance themselves from God for fear of or disgust at His judgment. They cannot see how love and justice coexist, when actually, holiness is upheld by both. It is an alien work of the Lord to judge, yet also a merciful one. The Maker of all things has intrinsic and redemptive purposes man cannot fully understand. But we can know He is supreme, and supremely good in every plan and all His ways, and that in sovereign knowledge and holy perfection He both sustains and destroys according to His divine scale. (Genesis 18:25-36; Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 28:21-22; Habakkuk 3:2,16-18; John 16:8-11; Acts 17:31; Romans 9:14-18)

If we take issue with God for harsh judgment, would we contemplate His righteousness and holiness? How would our attitude change if we thankfully marveled that there is no darkness or sin in Him, and that none receives wrath without rejecting Him? Would we consider heaven where there is only light and no sorrow or pain or uncleanness? Would we trust that God’s whole character, every impulse and attribute, is perfect? (Isaiah 60:19-21; Romans 1:18-21; 1 John 1:5; Revelation 21:3-8,23-27)

To humble ourselves before the true and upright Judge is to acknowledge His sovereign goodness and authority. It keeps us in our place as servants dependent on mercy, and inspires love for those not yet saved. How will we honor the Lord as Judge today?

Lord, keep me grateful for and compelled by Your strange and wonderful judgment, to the praise of Your grace.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works…

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” Titus 2:11-14; 3:1-9

Paul charges Titus with a large task: to teach the church how to be godly. He urges his young protégé to call leaders and lay people, men and women, old and young, to exemplify the glories of salvation and eternal hope in their conduct. He is masterful in supporting this admonition with cogent basis for doing so: Every individual in the church once was, but now is. The old has gone, the new has come. Former habits and actions were, but are now a new reality in Christ. Because of the divine turnaround Christ has effected, they are to live upright lives in the present evil age. To do so takes constant reminding and training in purity and righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

For every behavioral demand or requirement, the Lord is clear about the reason, motivation, and means for doing so. No works are necessary for our salvation- we are washed by the mercy of Jesus. From there, every aspect of a believer’s life should be centered on the grace of God in Christ. Saved because of Him, we are to live carefully as His redeemed possession, devoted to good works that glorify Him. When peppered with temptation or teased with worldly trinkets, by His Spirit we are to renounce all for which He died, and take hold of the hope He imparts.

What worldly passion smolders within? Be it bitterness or rage, idolatry or lust, jealousy or malice, there are or will come urges to succumb. How will we renounce, submit, prepare, and avoid as He commands? Because Christ has won, we can resist rebel attitudes, stubbornness, pride, and callous hearts. His regenerating victory makes fools wise, slaves free, the envious content, the anxious fulfilled. Believing His triumph begets bold obedience.

Lord, because of and by Your grace, compel me with zeal for righteousness and good works as I anticipate Your glory.

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
    let me not be put to shame;
    let not my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
    they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.

Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies…
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
    for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”

“For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.” Psalm 25:1-10,15; 26:3

Lifting his soul to the Lord, David determines to get his directions right. Certain truths warranted looking back, others things were meant to be left behind. To move forward, he sought God’s ways and depended on His guidance and teaching. As for time, he would wait as long as it took for new direction. Turning from downcast shame to lifted face, he would rest in the mercy towards sins of the past that effected full forgiveness, and the steadfast love that would lead him forward. God’s goodness of old would faithfully direct him to new as he watched.

How different would a day be if to God we lifted our souls? Before perusing media, before making plans, before setting out, if we lifted our attention, imagination, regrets, hopes, offerings, to Him? Determining to trust Him clarifies focus to recognize the enemies of our souls, and fearlessness to turn them away. Waiting on His lead offers time to reorder our mindset and priorities. To get directions straight, we need to seek and submit to His leadership.

In any situation, we can find ourselves tangled in a net of confusion and complication. Wants and needs and emotions vie for our attention. Memories haunt, the present presses, and the future lies uncertain. To deliberately lift our concentration above the fray to seek the Lord and recount His graces, faithfulness, and goodness secures our concerns in peace. It opens our ears to listen to His instruction. It fixes our gaze on the Lord and His steadfast love. It points our feet straight on His revealed path. It enables us, step by step, to walk in confident faith.

What pressures or conundrums currently cause unease? Where does the way forward seem muddled, the sky brass? Where has a chaotic schedule caused confusion about what should be our next right thing? Pausing to look up and wait on the Lord directs us to the right and joy-filled way. (Deuteronomy 28:23; 2 Chronicles 20:12)

Lord, lift my soul and keep me on Your straight good way, for Your sake.

“By the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” Romans 12:3-6a,9-19

Paul has just described the inexplicable and beautiful mystery of God’s loving election and irretrievable calling of His people, and moves on to the practical implications of daily living. Under new identity in Christ, all who are saved are to live distinct from the pattern of the world, serving one another and the Body as those transformed. The rule of life is now the rule of love. (Romans 10:8-17; 11:29-12:2)

There is no solo or silo existence for the children of God, but a rich weaving together and building up according to applied gifts. The benefits of living out this transformed life are many, bestowing treasures of love, communion among the saints, encouragement, and mutual fulfillment as God’s giftings are exercised. A vibrant community of Christ’s own is replete with light for the world and raises glory to the Giver of those gifts.

In order to be a vital, contributing member of the Body, we must be spiritually healthy ourselves. Daily offering our bodies before the Lord as living sacrifices establishes a selfless mindset, and gears us toward consideration of how we can serve the Lord and others in His name. Surrendering our will and control frees us to serve as He bids, to use what He’s entrusted to us for His kingdom purposes.

How sober is our judgment of ourselves? Pondering this passage, can we honestly say we no longer live for self but for the good of others? Recounting Christ’s love for us, how genuine is our love for His Body? Do we find it easy to lavish on certain people, and more difficult on others?

How fervently do we employ our gifts for others’ good? In what ways are we actively honoring and preferring those around us? What are we doing to extend hospitality, empathize, promote harmony? Blessings abound when we humble ourselves before the King, and humbly serve His people.

Father, may I gratefully, effectively share Your gifts of grace, to Your praise.