It’s been a while since I last posted. A quick look revealed that my list of drafts was as long as my list of published posts. Oops. Got to get down to editing them in full. In any case, just a quick post of what I read today in my devotion. The verses for today were from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28.
It was pointed out that a very typical format of Paul’s letters was that he would open his letters with heavy theology, followed by practical applications. However, this is an order that we, as Christians, often get backwards. We tend to want to jump straight into “what do I do” without going back to what He has done and the foundations of God’s truth. While there is nothing wrong with desiring to apply God’s truth in our lives, we should let it renew our minds first and to get it ingrained in us before the application. Otherwise, it would be meaningless, don’t you think? In this order, a transformed life will overflow from a transformed heart.
Further on, what then is God’s will for us? God’s will for us is to be joyful, thankful and prayerful at all times, in every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Surely this can be done because all things are in God’s hands, and becoming more Christ-like is not ultimately done by us or fur us, but rather, it’s ultimately done by God and for God. “Sanctification is not slaying your flesh by your will, but surrendering your spirit to God’s will.” It might seem hard at first for we are human, and of a sinful nature, but by the grace of God, we have to rest assure that the covenant He set for us through Christ is solid, and remember what He has done on the Cross for us. It is not what you do, but what He had already done (on the Cross) that gives of hope.
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