“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” 1 John 1:7
As people walk together in the Lord, their association and fellowship has a perfecting effect upon each other, because they are concentrating on each other’s spiritual advancement, rather than mistakes or imperfections. The desire is to share what God’s grace has enabled all to have, instead of resorting to fleshly strivings and contentions. The outlook is for the ways of overcoming spiritually, instead of being overcome by the flesh.
This faith enables Christians to go on serving and working together instead of being divided by conflict. Charity compliments every Christian effort for success in the circumstances and situations of life. It enlarges the heart for the will of the Lord to be done, which is the way of spiritual victory and advancement.
Apart from being completely surrendered to the Lord, a person may be able to rejoice when the church is rejoicing, but are unable to weep with the church when it is weeping. This leads to a separation from the fellowship when one’s own desires and expectations are not catered to. This failure to be effectually joined together spiritually, will lead to one only being able to accept prosperity, but unable to cope with adversity. Thus one finds themselves unwilling to work and be a part of anything that requires self-denial and personal cross bearing. Unless one is given over to the conviction and faith for, “Not my will, but thine be done,” they will not be able to submit to the Lord’s way of overcoming sinful faults and failures.
Our grand purpose must be to do all for the glory of God, rather than be controlled by other influences. We need to know that waiting upon the Lord in the midst of trial, sinful failures, sufferings, etc., allows God to take the reigns of our lives for removing the dross and replacing it with the virtues of spiritual mindedness.
What a blessing we secure unto ourselves through the desire to be clay in the Potter’s hands; to possess the conviction that the Christian’s exaltation comes through placing the cause of Christ above our personal concerns; to believe that the resolution of all things will take place as we are given over to supporting the plan and purpose of God without bringing offense upon the work of the Lord.
There is nothing richer than to have abode in the Lord’s will to the extent of having God respond by working all things together for the good of those that love the Lord, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Full surrender brings the blessing every time!
SHARING