How is it that we can sense His presence in our lives and yet still act like fools?

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter [continues in foolish behavior] separates [even] close friends.

We need to remember that our POSITION in Christ is permanently set while our RELATION to Christ is dynamic and changes constantly (hopefully, for the better; we have this promise: Philippians 1:6). Our POSITION in Christ is based upon what He did for us on the cross and through the resurrection. It’s ALL HIM POSITIONALLY. It is our RELATION to Christ that we will discuss.

Our POSITION in Christ gives us the foundation for our relationship with Christ. It’s our everyday living, our PRACTICAL HOLINESS, that He wants to teach us. It is the part of us that relates to the Holy Spirit in conversation all day, every day, that He works in us. It is this part that needs to grow and mature–it’s the part that needs help! That help comes through reading, studying, pondering and memorizing His Word, listening to sermons, taking classes, and discussing God, Jesus, the Bible and daily life with others in relation to what we have learned and what we need to know.

Our relationship with God, through Christ, by way of the Holy Spirit, is DYNAMIC; it’s always growing, moving, maturing and developing. It will continue to do so until the day we die–and then beyond! It just takes a major step forward when we step across that threshold of death! Right now, let’s consider Paul’s words to the Colossians in 3:1-4,

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1. Raised with Christ- We have been raised from the dead! We are no longer who we were before meeting Christ Jesus. We are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17)!
2. Seated at the right hand of God- We are seated there, as well (Ephesians 2:6). Let’s check in up there (set our minds and hearts on Him) rather than have our heads stuck in this world.
3. Your life is now hidden- We are dead to our old way of life and our old way of thinking. We are hidden with Christ in God. What does that even mean?! It means that Satan no longer has a strangle-hold on us!
4. Christ…is your life- Whether we meet Him in the clouds or come back with Him in those clouds doesn’t matter. We are with Him from now through eternity! He has become the sole/soul focus of our attention (pun intended).

So, let’s consider every “failure” an opportunity to learn holiness. It’s the redemptive part of the process. Jesus is rooting for us; He wants us to succeed and even knows how many times we will fail until we finally succeed–and He is excited for us to succeed! How can we disappoint a God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:57)? Verse 58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Tomorrow: How grace teaches us to be like Him.

Abba, I thank You that You are the ONE who called me. I didn’t generate my passion for You and for Your Word on my own; it is the gift that the Holy Spirit grew in me throughout my life. I pray that You will generate a passion for You and Your Word in each of my readers. May they sense Your call upon their lives right now and answer that call saying,

Yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way.
Yes, Lord, yes, I will trust You and obey.
When Your Spirit speaks to me,
With my whole heart, I’ll agree
and will answer saying, “Yes, Lord, yes.”

Amen and amen.