Psalms 66:10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:15-17

Becoming a Christian does not mean that all trials will cease and life suddenly becomes as smooth as it can be. On the contrary, throughout Scripture we see God’s people enduring great trials that nearly crush them. Paul, the Apostle, promised that if we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. What is this difficult life we are called to all about?

God is refining us. In the Father’s eyes the work is done, but here on earth as we live out our day to day life, we find the old person we once were trying to reestablish his ways in us. It was our familiar pattern, and one we would easily slip back into. Through the difficult situations we face, God shows us the old ways that we are tempted to cling to. If we try them again, we find they are contrary to our new life. It is like the refining of a metal. The heat brings up the lighter contaminants so that they can be removed. One old silversmith said that he knew when the silver refining process was finished because he could see his reflection in the silver. God is looking for His reflection in you.

In the end, God brings us out into a place of abundance. For many, that will not be in this life. You may have to wait for eternity. Oh, but what a place of abundance. Those who died in faith, and did not receive the promises in this life, go to a better reward, says the writer of Hebrews. Many wonder about the expression of ‘filling up the sufferings of Christ’. As a part of His body, your sufferings in the process of refinement, are a part of that mystical suffering. Jesus suffers with you, for you are a part of His body, and when one member hurts, all the members suffer with it, including the head. You are not alone in your suffering. Let the Comforter comfort you. Consider the eternal great reward and endure by the grace of God. He will bring you out into a place of abundance!


Evening

15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:15-17 NIV)

Paul declared that it was the love of Christ that motivated and directed him. He no longer lived for himself but for the One who died for him and was raised again. He declared that this should be the normal Christian life. We should all be living for the One who died for us, not for self.

Do you see others with eternal significance or temporary influence? I believe Paul is saying that, at first, the disciples did not understand that Jesus was their Creator. They thought of Him only as a potential Messiah that would set up an earthly kingdom. Are we looking at people in the same way? Do we see them as what potential they have to do something for us, how they can help us achieve temporal goals? Or do we see others as the sons and daughters of God that He has called them to be?

What a change this would make in the way we relate to one another. Instead of making decisions as to what is temporarily good for us, we should make them on what is good for the growth and development of the new creation that they are. That is living for Christ. That is making the decisions on the basis of what is good for the Kingdom of God. Our brothers and sisters are no longer pawns of the enemy, but have become royalty. We should treat one another that way.

Do our eyes of faith see what God is making of one another? If so, we can love one another with His love. We can be patient and bear with the passing weaknesses, knowing that they are patiently bearing with us. The work that God has begun will be completed. Look past the transitory and see the finished work. God does when He looks at you, and aren’t you glad! Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

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