Closely linked with
rejecting bondage is accepting the trustworthy effectiveness of God and His
provision for our salvation. Sometimes I
might be shocked by what I perceive as someone else’s carefree attitude in
things that relate to how I live out my faith.
But the question is not, “Do they live and express the Christian life
the way that I do?” The question is
better stated, “Are the fruits of the Spirit increasing month by month and year
by year? Is the calm assurance of God’s
love increasing?” True spiritual
knowledge is a miracle that will yield true transformation and conformance with
the will and purposes of God.
Transformation will
not always look the same: God has
imparted to humanity a variety of personalities, cultures, ethnicities,
languages, time periods,… It seems
pretty pompous to have formulated criteria matching my own narrow expression of
Christianity. Instead, we can look for
the good fruits of the gospel message in those who receive it. We can look for the good fruits of the Holy
Spirit in those who have received Jesus as Lord and Ruler of their earthly life
as well as Savior of their eternal soul.
And please remember
that Paul is describing how the other apostles and leaders saw and perceived
the effective working of the gospel over
time. Transformation is not
instantaneous and I suspect if Paul had to make a case immediately after
preaching a message, he would be hard pressed for evidence beyond verbal
assents. In the same way, we may not see
immediate results of the gospel in the lives of others, or in our own
life. But as we remain committed to
Truth, as others remain committed to truth, the evidence will been seen, and
the efficacy of the gospel will be perceived.
The one “criteria”
added in verse 10 is “remember the poor”.
The first part of Paul’s argument, that it is by grace through faith
alone, relates well with the first and greatest commandment: love God with all
your heart, soul, mind and strength.
What is added now corresponds well with the second which is like
it: love your neighbor as yourself.
May the effective
working of the gospel in your life be seen and perceived by those near you, and
may you see and perceive the grace of God that is at work in the live of those
around you.
Read and Pray: Proverbs 11:30, Matthew 7:20, John 15:9-12
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