Embrace the Within no. 174

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that many times I have planned to come to you, (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit [of my labors] among you, even as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I have a duty to perform and a debt to pay both to Greeks and to barbarians [the cultured and the uncultured], both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am ready and eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome” (Romans 1:13-15).

I have a responsibility to the cultured and the uncultured. I have a duty to the educated and the uneducated. I have a service to perform to all. Today we tend to think of divisions as points of pride and honor. I use division to elevate myself over others that I feel better than to make those others feel less than. BUT that is not the way in the Kingdom of God. The divisions are not there to elevate anyone over anyone else. The divisions are not there to make some feel less or others feel better. I have sinned. You have sinned. We all have sinned. And we all need the sacrifice of Christ.

I have historically been setting myself apart from another group and the vast majority of people my entire life. I had been doing this in the past because of feelings of superiority to their inferiority. That has changed through salvation and sanctification. I am set apart BUT not in any way that makes me better or others inferior. I am set apart only because He chose to allow me salvation, “'. . . for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago] . . .” (2 Timothy 1:9 AMP). My works do not set me apart from the world. He sets me apart from the world.

And I think that too often one of the things that I lack is humility when approaching salvation and sanctification. There is no lack of boasting and pride in the world today even in making poor decisions. Folks will gladly wear their poor choices as a point of honor and are willing to share these decisions proudly. How much more should I humbly share the importance of salvation and sanctification? How much should I show pride and honor to my God that has granted these things to me? How often should I show the fruits of the spirit to all people, “ . . . love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP)?

I pray that I see past division and into the unity of all people as images of God. I pray that I see past division and into the importance of sharing His salvation and sanctification with all. I pray that my boasting be in the Lord and what He has done and not in my own works. I pray that in getting past division and my own pride in order to do His work. I pray that this taking on of His calling will allow me to be a better Ambassador for His Kingdom.

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH