If you are a Christian, your eternal address is the new heaven and earth, not this one. That's why you might feel like a foreigner here sometimes. If you have ever visited another country you might have felt unfamiliar with the food, smells, clothing, language, and customs there. The culture, values and customs of this world are different to those of the Spirit. In fact, they are the complete opposite. Galatians 5: 16-17 says, If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires. The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.
Galatians 5:19-21 lists the customs of this world. People’s desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the customs of those of faith. God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. As you can see - they are the complete opposite. We need to be careful that we don't start following the customs of the world. Instead we need to be radically different to the world. The main thing that should set us apart is our love. John 13:35 says, All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other. When people look at you can they tell that you're a spiritual foreigner? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. You don’t have to be thankful for your circumstances, but God calls us to be thankful despite them. I think it’s possible to be thankful for our trials as well because God uses them to transform us to be more like Jesus.
James 1:2-4 says you will have trials but that they teach you to be patient and mature. My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that our trials also produce character and hope. And we also have joy with our troubles because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. If you are in a difficult season, remember that God is using your circumstances to make you more like Jesus. |
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