Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
1 Corinthians 15:39
Life in Christ Matters!
Like an ill-fitting suit of clothes, many people are as uncomfortable within their own fleshly body as they are within the apparel to cover it. Here we find a place of frustration for both, the person who sees themself as a stranger on the outside, and the bystander struggling to appreciate the difficulty the other is experiencing within.
When the Word of God was sent to mankind during New Testament times, in what package did it arrive? The Bible says "...the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us", meaning the Word of God (spirit) was given a flesh suit like yours and mine. Jesus is that person, and His flesh suit (body) was no different than ours in configuration. He experienced the same feelings and temptations we do. From here, we realize our fleshly identity is personal, yet common to all as members of a single body and completely understood by God and accounted for by the Word. Thus, however and with whomever we choose to identify, only defines our membership within a group of like-minded people familiar to us. When we identify with Him and receive His Word as the way to Him, we identify with Him regardless of the flavor of our flesh, because God shows no favoritism for anyone. When we identify with Him we become His and show His love to everyone as a representative of Him by our actions, not just our speech.
Expectations of others are often filled with judgment and disappointment. Every married person, for example, knows that fact or should. The Word tells us to forgive, edify, build, support, and do all things helpful to love our neighbor as thyself. To love thy neighbor as thyself means accepting all people for who they present themselves to be, and not who, what or how we expect or want them to behave. There is no judgment or disappointment in the Word, and yet great eternal despair awaits those without it.
The Bible is clear, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. That means there is NO CONDEMNATION for anyone who chooses to live by, and according to, the Word (Spirit) and not the flesh, no matter how we identify it. Think of it this way, our gender and identity is personal and relevant to us as a carnal human creature. God looks past our human flesh and the carnality of it, including all of the identities we choose to define it. He looks for our identity with His Word, i.e., in the Spirit, because all flesh is the instrument of sin unto death. For we have all sinned and disappointed Him. As a loving Father, He encourages us to govern our own flesh obediently in accordance with His Word, full of grace and truth as we grow. Our life in Christ matters because He shows us how to treat each other as loving brothers and sisters within the same royal family.
God is no respecter of persons. The Word of God (Spirit) may dwell in the heart of everyone, regardless of fleshly attributes and identification issues, because the flesh cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God. In fact, the individuality of all people is God's will, and each life in Christ matters uniquely to Him. Why? Each of us has talents He will use for His good works and witness of Him. In short, He wants all sorts of people to bear witness to the glory in His Word as His son that dwells in our hearts through love. When we do, the Father becomes a true loving father to us.
LIFE IN CHRIST MATTERS and the LORD'S PORTER are trademarks of Life in Christ Matters. Life in Christ Matters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. Your contributions are very much appreciated and completely tax deductible, but please consult your tax advisor.
©2020 Life in Christ Matters, All Rights Reserved.