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Scripture:

“God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

 

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, ‘I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help.’

 

Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

 

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!” 2 Corinthians 5:20,21- 6:1-13 (MSG)

 

Perspective:

As Paul was writing to the church at Corinth in his second letter, he encouraged them in the way they were living. Paul had previously set the stage by providing proof to the validity of his ministry. As Paul saw that the people were on the same mission in life, he didn’t want them to waste opportunities or miss living a life of faith. Paul understood that his life and ministry were being examined by outsiders, so as he faced various challenges, he knew that his response was very important. He knew that the church in Corinth was aware, as well. However, in relaying information to the church, he was concerned that they were not living in the fullness of God’s grace and love. God had given them boundaries through Paul, but along the way, the boundaries turned into an even smaller box. First, the people needed to respond to God’s gift of salvation. Then, they needed to embrace the largeness of the call to follow Jesus. Paul knew that God wanted to do more in and through their lives, but it would be dependent upon their response to God’s Word. Would they continually open up their lives to the largeness that God was calling them to? Paul asked that they would be open to him, as well as to the life of faith.

 

As we are living life, we first have the opportunity to respond to God’s gift of salvation. Yet, after we accept God’s grace, it can be easy to take God’s boundaries and create a really small box in which to live. Some might have the perception that following God is all about the rules, while others want to disregard them entirely. But, maybe the greater focus needs to be on the way in which we live. God is calling us to live our lives in a larger capacity than we have before. To reach more people, we have to open up our lives and allow people to be part of our stories. To rise up into the call that He has placed on our lives, we have to grow into the largeness of that call. We will have to let go of some things and be stretched. A box is safe and more comfortable, but it is possible that if we live in a tight box, we might be living under our God-given potential. In walking with God, your life will never be small, so it is important that we don’t live with a small mindset. God has more for you. What would it look like for you to live out God’s grace in a greater way? The life of faith is an adventure, and when we make our lives small, we miss part of the thrill of taking God’s hand each day and walking where He leads. In your journey, may you come to experience the spacious life that is a result of walking with God in an even greater way.

 

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.  Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

 

 

 

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