SINCE WHEN DO YOU DECIDE WHAT YOU DO OF YOURSELF?

We live in a world where every day we can be provoked, angered, mistreated hurt, abused, disrespected or even inflicted. With all these potentials, when do we get to decide, for ourselves, what we are to do when confronted with any or all of these situations?

Galatians 2:20 says “I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME. THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE BODY, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVES MEN AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.”

There is so much in this verse, it is deep, and it has a strong message for our daily lives and all that we do during our day. This verse takes all the legal claims that we have to the body we now reside in. It is our habitation yes, but what it obeys, what it does, what it subjects itself to, what it speaks and how it dresses is not for us to decide or do without the permission, approval or instructions from God. How I feel, what I think, what I want to do, what I see best to do, even what I am doing, this no longer counts. It is not your life anymore it is that of Christ.

Christ suffered much and all through the trial, the whipping, the taunting, the spitting on his face, the false accusations, the carrying of the cross, the placing of the crown of thorns on his head, the piercing of the nail in his hands, the piercing of the nail in his feet, the hanging from the cross, through it all he did not utter a word of discomfort or showed an angry face or held any malice, grudge or anger against anyone. He said nothing, not even to those that were inflicting the torture and pain upon him. Instead as the Bible quote, He said to His Father, our God “Lay not this sin upon them, for they know not what they do!”

To be a follower of Christ is to be Christ like. We learn from the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, (which should be embedded character traits of the children of God) the way we should handle ourselves with others. Can an apple tree bear plantains or banana? Can a Fig tree yield oranges? Neither can the children of God yield the character of Satan! Our resident body, our habitation even our tent as Peter called it in 2 Corinthians 5:4; should display Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

In all the circumstances we face in life, if we line up these Godly traits to them, what would the outcome be? Would they be in line with what God would allow us to do? Or would they cause our hearts to grow in anger or wax vex as self conflicts against the word of God?

Many of us walk around professing ‘Jesus is the Son of God’ yet we do not yield our actions in line with the Fruit of the Spirit or His example. So then is it YOU or CHRIST that now lives in you, in your body, in your habitation or in your tent? Who has the final say? YOU?

“IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE.” Romans 12:18

Do you have the final choice? Did the apostle say in this verse ‘live at peace with only those that you love or like’? Let’s say you can justify that this verse means that you should only love those that treat you good, how then will Matthew 5:44 stand with you?

“BUT I TELL YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE THAT PROSECUTE YOU.” Matthew 5:44

Can you run from upholding this verse? Jesus said in Matthew 5:9 “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD”, this gives us evidence of the kind of life we ought to be living. Of the representation that should be seen in our lives. So then, if we are directly in the situation (one on one) we should live at peace with everyone, and if we are not directly involved in the situation (knowing of, bystander, adviser) then we should be peacemakers.

Can it be said that when we partake to treat sinners (that we believe got what they deserved) badly, that we are aiding and abetting satan’s plan to destroy their lives? Many are the times we Try, Judge, Sentence and Convict souls/people on our own without hearing a word from God. This entire trial happens fast in our minds; then we position our comments, actions, opinions, emotions and feelings based on our calculations of the person, all without hearing a word or instruction from God.

James 5:20 says “²⁰ REMEMBER THIS: WHOEVER TURNS A SINNER FROM THE ERROR OF THEIR WAY WILL SAVE THEM FROM DEATH AND COVER OVER A MULTITUDE OF SIN.”

There are a few verses that begins with ‘Remember’, to me it says you should have known this already, but I am reminding you now again.

Do you consider yourself a Child of God? Do you call yourself a Child of God? Then Galatians 6:1 says

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

King James Version says “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, RESTORE such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

In our day to day, in our 8 to 5, our Sunday to Sunday, in our Sun up to Sun down we meet many situations with our family members, with co-workers, with friends, with our church family, with neighbours, with people we know and don’t know. How does our Father desire that we should treat such a one? He said “He wish that none should perish but that ALL should have everlasting life.” As His followers should we then not work to help fulfil this desire of our God?

Should we as followers not follow our Father’s instruction as stated in the Bible?

Our character MUST be like that of Christ as we follow His example. ‘A servant is not greater than his master’! Christ died for ALL sinners, He laid down His life for ALL sinners. We are not being asked to die for our family members, or friends, church members, neighbours or co-workers. We are being asked to Love them, be Joyful with them, be Peaceful with them, to be Forbearing with them, showing Kindness to them, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and for our self to have Self Control. Do you believe Self Control was accidentally placed in this list? Or did our Saviour plan for the shortcomings and impatient ways we tend to have.

IF THEY ARE OUR ENEMIES WE ARE TOLD TO LOVE THEM AND PRAY FO THEM!!!

IF THEY ARE FALLING OR SINNING WE ARE TOLD TO RESTORE THEM!!!!

We are told to not JUDGE them,

We are told that ONLY ONE sits on the judgement seat and is worthy of that position.

SINCE WHEN DO WE DECIDE WHAT WE DO OF OURSELVES?

The one verse about doing things in our own way that I always remember is Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” This way is man’s way not God’s way.

Ephesians 5:1 says “¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

We are to follow Gods example. Many have grudges, malice, envy, anger, hatred and dislikes against family and friend both in the church and in the world. Is this ought to be so?

No No No…You have never been instructed to not talk to your son or daughter that got you upset or angry. You have never been instructed to not speak or hold anger against your wife or husband who provoked you. You have never been instructed to not speak to your neighbour who is unrighteous.

No No No…

EVERYTHING must be in subjection to God … EVERYTHING..

Vs 3 says “ ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

Vs 4 says “⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

How many reading this can attest to loving their enemy or to upholding the fruit of the spirit in their day to day lives? To restoring those that are falling and sinning? THESE ARE IMPROPER FOR GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE !!!!

Are you dressing to represent a Holy God? Or are you dressing in a sexually immoral way? Are we preaching and saying amen to “Thou shall not commit adultery” yet we walk provocative with all the curves and breast line showing. THESE ARE IMPROPER FOR GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE !!!!

Are your jokes uplifting God or are they coarse jesting as Vs 4 says? Foolish Talking…are you guilty here or do you speak Yea Yea or Nay Nay and all to the Glory of God? Or are you speaking more? Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” THESE ARE IMPROPER FOR GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE !!!!

Is it no wonder the bible says ‘MANY’, not one, ‘MANY’, not some but ‘MANY” he will declare to on that day “I NEVER KNEW YOU, DEPART FROM ME” Folks these are not people of the world that God is talking about; No No No they are professed Christians !!! Those with a ‘FORM’ of Godliness those who are denying the power!

On that day it may not turn out to be the lady or lad that sat beside you in church. It may be YOU, it will be YOU if you do not line up your character with Christ and start to FOLLOW as A CHILD OF GOD!

Coarse Joking and Foolish talk, is this you? Are we then becoming self-pleasers? The things we say and do may be comforting to us and make us laugh but what are they doing for our Holy God? “THESE ARE IMPROPER FOR GOD”S HOLY PEOPLE”!

Vs 8 – 10 says “⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.”

AND FIND OUT WHAT PLEASES THE LORD!!!

AND FIND OUT WHAT PLEASES THE LORD!!!

2 Corinthians 5:9 ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

AND FIND OUT WHAT PLEASES THE LORD AND FOLLOW HIM..

Follow JESUS, Follow His ways, Follow His words, Follow His instructions, be a FOLLOWER!!!

Vs 12 says “¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”

As much as you can, and if it is left up to you, do not let this be said of you!

Do not be found without oil at the arrival of the Bridegroom!!!

Do not be found wanting!!!

Do no think that your Lords has delayed his return!!!!

Vs 14 to 17 says “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

WHAT IS IT THAT HE WANTS YOU TO DO?

WHAT IS THE LORDS’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE?

Galatians 5:16 says “¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Ephesians 5:19to 20 says ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

HE THAT HAS AN EAR LET HIM HEAR…

HE THAT WANTS TO FOLLOW JESUS LET HIM FOLLOW INDEED !!!!

I AM IN NEED LORD, HELP US!