"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort or salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is working in your perseverance in the same sufferings which we also suffer. And our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort."
In the passage above, Paul explains that we suffer and find comfort through Christ, which helps us grow in perseverance and benefits others. As the body of Christ, we work together and share both our sufferings and our comfort. Our church, Grace Bible Church, has the following mission statement: "Loving People To Life In Christ." This statement reflects what God has called us to do. We are to love God with all our heart, will, and soul, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving people to life involves two main aspects: first, sharing the gospel so they can have eternal life, and second, discipling them so they can experience an abundant life in Christ. We are Christ's ambassadors to everyone we meet—whether at school, church, home, grocery shopping, traveling, at the doctor's office, or the post office. As Christ's ambassadors, our words, actions, and attitudes should overflow with God's love and grace from within us into the lives of others. I recently finished reading "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change" by Paul David Tripp. This book offers practical advice for anyone who feels better equipped to practice the 'one another' commands we are called to follow. Maintaining a consistent, meaningful prayer life and quiet time with God is essential for our spiritual growth and the growth of those around us. The author urges us to love, know, speak, and do.
"Love" emphasizes the importance of relationships in the transformation process. "Know" involves becoming familiar with the people God sends our way. "Speak" means sharing God's truth with this person in this situation. "Do" is about helping them apply what they have learned—using the insights God has given them in their daily life and relationships.
"In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this, we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. We have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."
Some questions I have for myself are:
- Do my words, actions, and attitudes reflect Christ's love?
- Do those I encounter know I am Christ's child? Are they encouraged by God's work within me overflowing into them, or am I hindering the Spirit by leaning on my own strength and wisdom?
- What have I said "No" to that I should have said "Yes" and vice versa? What have I prioritized over my relationship and fellowship with God?
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