We Are on the Winning Side…

This week we have been talking about some of the roles and responsibilities of the man and the woman. While it was by no means exhaustive, we will leave it to the Holy Spirit to work in and through you according to His will. We want to conclude our thoughts this week with something that applies to all no matter what your station in life is at this time:

⁸ “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

⁹ “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

¹⁰ “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Matthew 5:8-10 (MSG)

The above is an interesting scripture. It speaks to all of us. We are a part of God’s family, all of us. No matter what our function, we are called to not only cooperate with our brethren, we are also called to the ministry of reconciliation. We are called to reconcile our brothers and sisters to each other, as well as help them remain reconciled to Christ. This may involve persecution. None of us like persecution, but conflict and antagonism is a part of life. It will come. However, as the text denotes, “persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom” and more than that:

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (KJV)

The good news is that troubles (afflictions) come to the believer and the unbeliever; yet, for the believer, God has promised relief – He will perfect those things that concern us, He will strengthen us, and gloriously settle us into a place of glory, we are on the winning side!

Maria