Bask in the Light
of the Son
Encouraging New Testament Believers to
Abide in the Matchless Love of Our Lord
by Mark Mountjoy
Dear fellow believers,
In the busyness of life, it's easy to take our relationship with God for granted and lose the passion we once had. If we find ourselves going through the motions, it's time to pause and reflect.
Remember the joy and excitement of your early faith? The Bible calls us to return to that first love, to repent and do the works we did at first (Revelation 2:4-5). It starts with remembering, repenting, and taking action. Set aside time for prayer and Bible study, serve others, and keep God at the center of your life.
As we pursue a deeper relationship with God, He will meet us where we are and rekindle our love for Him. Let's not take this precious gift for granted, but instead, let's burn brightly for Him, sharing His light and love with the world in both spoken and unspoken ways.
AS CHRISTIANS, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN the most precious gift imaginable: the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we have been invited to come to Him and find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). This invitation is not a one-time offer but a continuous life-long call to abide in His love and experience the transformative power of His presence in our lives.
If we find ourselves drifting away from the peace and contentment that comes from walking with Christ, we must return to our First Love (Revelation 2:4) and seek to restore the intimate relationship we once had with Him. By renewing our commitment to Jesus and expressing our desire to walk closely with Him once more, we again open ourselves up to the abundant life He promises (John 10:10).
One of the most remarkable aspects of Christ's love is how it elevates us above our base human instincts and passions. The world tells us to pursue pleasure, to hold grudges, and to look out for ourselves above all else. However, Jesus calls us to a higher standard – one that is characterized by love, forgiveness, and selflessness. When we walk in the Spirit, we find that the fleeting pleasures of the flesh lose their appeal, and we discover the true contentment that comes from living a life devoted to God (Galatians 5:16-26).
In Christ, we are empowered to love even those who hate us, to pray for those who persecute us, and to extend grace to those who wrong us (Matthew 5:43-48). This radical love is only possible through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we yield to His guidance, we find ourselves released from the bondage of envy, jealousy, and strife. Instead, we are filled with goodwill and compassion, even for those who may be opposed to our beliefs and values.
The love of Christ also enables us to approach disagreements and conflicts with a spirit of humility and respect. When we encounter fellow believers who understand or serve Jesus differently than we do, we have an opportunity to learn from one another and grow in our faith. By treating others as we would want to be treated (Luke 6:31), we create an atmosphere of dialogue and understanding, even in the midst of differing perspectives.
Moreover, as we navigate the challenges of life, prayer serves as our lifeline to God. Through consistent, heartfelt communication with our Heavenly Father, we maintain our focus on Christ and His will for our lives. As we seek His face daily, we become increasingly aware of His deep love and concern for us, and we are motivated to live in a way that honors and pleases Him.
The peace that Jesus promises to His followers (John 14:27) is not like the fleeting, superficial peace that the world offers. It is a deep, abiding peace that sustains us through trials and tribulations, anchoring us in the unwavering love of God. This peace is our birthright as children of God, and it is available to us every moment of every day.
In conclusion, as Christians, we truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain in Jesus Christ. By abiding in His love, walking in His Spirit, and devoting ourselves to prayer, we experience the abundant life that He has promised us. May we never take for granted the matchless love of our Lord, but instead, may we bask in His grace and share His goodness with all those around us.
Shine Your Light
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