And having this confidence, I know that
I shall abide and continue with you all for
your furtherance and joy of faith;
that your rejoicing may be more abundant
in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to again.
Philippians 1:25-26
The apostle Paul speaks here of the joy of faith and about rejoicing that it may grow in this growth is in Jesus Christ. Authentic Christians have a completely different outlook on faith, especially their faith. Authentic Christians have a joy in serving their Savior Jesus Christ. Authentic Christians are not of those who live their lives simply out of obedience to some heartless obligation and in fear of a punitive God. Authentic Christians live joyfully and have the blessings of the life that God has designed. Authentic Christians are not looking to walk closely to the line that divides living in the faith of God or not walking in the faith of God. Authentic Christians seek to walk closely with God and to build upon a close relationship with their Savior Jesus Christ. Authentic Christians seek out others who are like minded, those friends that they can walk through this journey of life together. Authentic Christians come together in such a way as to reinforce the work of God and each other and motivate each other to care for others. Authentic Christians do not have been difference and if so they would be on a spiritual decline. This kind of thing is one that is filled with joy and happiness.
Men and women come those who possess have a life filled with happiness knowing that this world is not their final destiny. Authentic Christians are well aware that they are strangers and pilgrims in this world and are simply passing through and will soon reach a new world, a new life, one that is eternal. Authentic Christians who know these things are willing to fight the forces of dark as an attempt page was that attempt in so many ways to turn them away from Authentic Christian Faith. This does not mean that there will not be a struggle, for we all know that that is true and we will struggle and we will have temptations, and we will have trials. This is also true of this world and true of cultural Christians. The difference is simply this: Authentic Christians do not shrink back for they know that they have no fear to come and they know that God will lead them through anything that comes their way. Authentic Christians know that God has promised eternal life and they'd look forward to that future life. Authentic Christians have the same attitude as that of Cicero's:
O greatest of days, when I shall hasten to that divine
Assembly and gathering of souls, and when I shall
Depart from this crowd and rabble of life!
Cicero, De Senectute, 23:85.
Question: when people come to see you or when you go to see others do they see the joy of your faith in Jesus Christ? I ask myself the same question and often I find myself wanting in this area. The question is do they see you or me struggling in our Christianity? Do you have the joy of this life or it simply nothing more than a lifelong struggle? The choice is ours whether to be happy or sad and no one can take that choice away from us as hard as they may try. Circumstances cannot take this choice away from us we have to allow it to either take away our choice to be happy or sad or not. we either decide to live for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and field pea to his commands or not. There is so much to enjoy in this life if we would only open her eyes and as that old saying goes "seeing the roses." How can we do this with some ease? Keep your eyes on the prize. keep your eyes on the one who died for you and me: Jesus Christ. You will find life to be full of joy and happiness and you will be a wonderful light in this world I kind of like Jesus Christ asked for us to be. Smile: God save you and you have a future home of eternal life!
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32: 7
Put a smile on your face you are on the way home
Richard L. Crumb
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