Boldness in Christ
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 HCSB
We have another 'therefore.' Why is it there? Verse 15 tells us:
And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.
2 Corinthians 5:15 HCSB
I live for Christ, not myself. Yesterday I went to spend time with a delightful couple I met through astronomy. I sensed God's love on this couple. The woman is delightful but the husband can be overbearing when on his pet topic and will not give room for others to speak. I had to confront him because he was not allowing for conversation. In his working life he had been a teacher. Now retired he fills his time with pet hobbies, of which there are many.
I was there because of the Lord. What did He have me do? We talked about the Lord and their experiences with Him, which were varied but needful of rest. Whilst the domination of conversation may have satisfied the man it left me irritated. I sensed an out of control spirit was at play. Therefore, I confronted. It seems to be my lot in life. Boldness came upon me and I told the man to be quiet as we were not in a classroom. I do not know if he has been spoken to thus before but he took it. I know I have work to do here and I want to hear my God in thr midst of it all. I cannot live for myself but the kingdom. Here are two souls who need redemption. That is my primary focus, not comfort.
Boldness in Christ is new in me. Boldness must be in Christ and covered in love otherwise I would be destroyer.
After being out most of the day I returned home to a message from the pastor I.support in Nepal. He was wanting to chat. As you might imagine I was still in need of divesting myself of annoyance. The pastor was not the source of my annoyance and needed the Lord's approach for him. I had to press 'refresh.' My spirit needed to be refreshed in the Spirit to undertake the new conversation.
This seems to be my learning curve at present. The Lord constantly places me in annoying situations and then tests me. He is looking for grace. Grace must flow or back I go to the classroom. Grace mist flow. Amen!
Comments
Post a Comment