The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Challenge and Compassion"
Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ view each other with great expectations, but also with recognition of our present state of imperfection.
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus… Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness (Galatians 3:26; I Thessalonians 5:5).
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
We base our expectations on Who lives within us, with promise to motivate, guide, and empower us. "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). We exercise patience with one another based on the truth of our humanity, one day to be glorified in complete Christlikeness, but not there yet. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (I John 3:2). Expectation of wondrous things, coupled with realization of weakness in all - these dual realities of our current condition help us to lovingly challenge one another with the standards of Scripture, and also comfort one another with its merciful assurance of God's long-suffering patience.
"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more" (I Thessalonians 4:1).
"For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee" (Psalm 86:5).
As we walk along this dual path of truth regarding our brothers and sisters, we hope they will journey with us regarding ourselves. We desperately need others to beckon us to fly higher, dive deeper, and journey ever onward into the glory of Christ. We must be challenged. We also require ongoing measures of mercy and patience from our fellow believers. We must be forgiven. Realizing our own need for such truth and compassion will go far in preparing us to help others. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1).
Challenge and compassion. The love of the Lord Jesus dwelling within us will lead us in both administrations of His character, nature, and way as we together seek to honor His name and communicate His glory. We are far more a part of one another in Christ than we can possibly comprehend at this time of our existence. Let us then be both firm and forgiving with all who join us in loving the One who so perfectly administers His gracious wisdom among us all, ever calling us to come further, and ever promising "mercy, and grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
"Exhort one another daily."
(Hebrews 3:13)
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
(Romans 14:19)
Weekly Memory Verse
Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.
(Psalm 62:8)
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