16/08/2015 - That which was at work within you

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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. Romans 7.5

Before we heard the Word of God we used to live in the flesh – in the natural realm. We had no idea what living in the flesh meant to us. However, when we heard the Word, the Lord opened up our understanding and we accepted the light (Psalm 119.105); as a result, we were born again and brought into the Kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1.13). Being saved by Jesus and baptized in the Holy Spirit, we became a new creation (2 Corinthians 5.17).

Now that we know the Lord and are known by Him (Galatians 4.9), we ought to live in the Spirit. However, if we are not cautious, our deceitful and malicious old nature will take over and direct our lives again (Ephesians 4.22). Many people, though they have been genuinely saved, are dominated by the same feelings from the time before their conversions. Thus, they lose the best that the faith in Jesus can offer them.

As representatives of the Kingdom of God, our mission is to accomplish the same deeds that Jesus taught and practiced; that is not an option. The Master was clear when He said that, in the Last Day, we will give account of everything we did or did not do with the talents He entrusted us (Mathew 25.14-30). The good traders of these “purses of gold” will be rewarded.

No child of the Most High is given a different mission than to accomplish the same deeds that Jesus did in the days that He walked on Earth. The Great Commission of Christ is for everyone who has been received as His disciple (Mark 16.15). They must remain in the Word of the Lord in order to be His disciples; only then they will know the truth and the truth will make them free (John 8.32). Work to remain in the Word He has given.

In the past we had passions that gave fruit to death; now the faith that is at work within us bears fruit for life. Those who are dominated by their passions, do all they can to satisfy the evil spirit that rules over them. With salvation, we are free from the power of hell. The Holy Spirit dwells in the born-again Christian and enables them to bear fruit of righteousness which brings glory to the Lord.

We can only claim that we love God if we bear much fruit like Jesus said (John 15.8). It is the Word of God that enables us to be fruitful. The Lord says He has purified us in the furnace of affliction, which is different from the silver put in the fire to be refined (Isaiah 48.10) since the blood of Jesus has done that for us already (1 John 1.7). Because we have been purified in the furnace, we are ready to accomplish the work of the Lord.

One day we will answer for what we did with the teachings we received from the Most High. His words are like purses of gold placed in our hands so that we can double their amount. Those who put away what they have received and gain nothing for the Kingdom of Heaven will be thrown in the darkness, where there will be unending weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mathew 25.30).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares