Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
The 10 commandments show Gods’ morals for the world. No one could keep all of them and even if we kept them they did not justify anyone. Only faith in the blood of Jesus can save. Unbelief is the number one problem in our world. Satan wants us to think that our righteousness can save us and it is the biggest tool that he uses to keep us from faith alone. The finished work of the cross overcame the sins of the world and we are offered His righteousness to abide in. Joy in the Lord is our strength. The Lamb of God sacrificed His life in exchange for ours!
Romans 7:4-6 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
As believers we become under the tutelage of Holy Spirit. In Christ we are protected from the ravages of eternal death that sin brings and are free to love God and serve God. He will teach us the ways of His Son. The love of Christ will draws others to Him. It is out of the Fathers’ agape love for mankind that He sent His only begotten Son to die for them..the triune God wants no one to perish. There is no condemnation for those in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
If we hold up the Lamb of God others will be drawn to the salvation that is only in Him. By our good works we show others the love of God. by sharing the Good News that it is by faith in the finished work of the Cross alone we become doers of His word made flesh. Carla
The Greek text here could refer to the love that Christ has for people or the love they have for Him. Jesus demonstrated God’s sacrificial love by dying for all (Romans 5:8). Christ’s sufferings provided Paul with perspective on his own hardships and motivated him to proclaim the message of reconciliation. He died for all probably means that Christ died for all people without distinction (gender, social status). However, not all receive the benefits of His atoning death; only those who believe the gospel and live for Christ do. Christ’s death breaks the power of sin so that believers may live for the purposes of God (Romans 3:9). Faithlife Study Bible.
The phrase the love of Christ can mean either (1) Christ’s love for us or (2) our love for Christ. The last part of the verse indicates that Paul had in mind Christ’s love for us. Died for all refers to Christ’s death for all believers. In Christ believers die to sin (Romans 6:1–14). Believers should not evaluate Christ or anyone else according to the flesh, that is, the way people typically evaluate each other (verse 12). The NKJV Study Bible
Romans 14:7–9 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s…
Romans 5:15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
Romans 6:6–7 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Somedays, I feel broken. Broken and dispirited. And I don’t have the words. And I don’t have the strength. Maybe you can relate.
So, how can we be a witness then? What possible difference can we make?
Well, this is interesting. You see, compassion (service and care) and healing (restoration) are not mutually exclusive. Because the light we share is born in those broken places. Which means that being a witness goes hand in glove with renewal.
In other words, we find replenishment and we choose to be a witness. This is not a pep talk. This is not a test to pass. Or a list I check off for God’s thumbs up. This is permission; the invitation and the affirmation to be and to live, wholeheartedly and kindheartedly, the truth of who I am.
Please know this my friends: it is from this self—the broken or wounded self—that compassion and kindness and tenderness and empathy and healing and reconciliation can flow.
As we go in to the weekend, let us take with us this prayer from St. Therese of Lisieux (“the Little Flower”)…
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.”
Sabbath Moments
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