I once heard someone say: “Are you the Christian that you expect other Christians to be?”
WHO is that person anyway?
Well, it should be the person who has such a strong identity in CHRIST, that he or she is overflowing with the characteristics that point others to HIM. This is the kind of person who will stick with you through all of life’s trials. The Bible says:
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
But above all these things put on LOVE, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the PEACE of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be THANKFUL.
Let the WORD of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:12-17
Does this describe your life as a Christian? Would you complain about someone who is too kind, or patient? How about someone who is too wise and loving? However, my friend, this kind of Christian is not SELF-manufactured. We cannot simply make ourselves self-sustainably more kind, loving, strong, and compassionate.
It does NOT happen without God.
Especially when we are experiencing our own hard times.
We have enough trouble keeping ourselves together. We need someone who is stronger. Thus, we must go back to the basics. Do you remember when you were born again? The day that I asked Christ to come into my heart, I surrendered because I recognized my desperate need for Him. When I take the time to fall freshly in love with Him each day, His Spirit becomes my well of compassion, meekness, humility, patience and kindness.
God is LOVE; and He doesn’t run out of Himself.
We cannot have Him as the center of our life without being transformed by His character. Loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind transforms us into the kind of Christian we want others to be. We quit judging others based upon their actions meanwhile judging ourselves on only our good intentions. Love is action. A close relationship with God will constantly remind us of who we are so that we know how to act. In all of the chaos, we only need to remember God’s fundamental truth—to love Him, which will motivate us to love others. His presence sustains us.
When we are living “in Christ” we respond to the love we have received.
We become the Christian WE would want to know when the presence of God transforms us and the fruits of HIS Spirit are the most obvious part of our life.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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