Identification With Christ And A New Kind Of Love

We once sinned in darkness. But having believed, shouldn't we identify with those still sinning in darkness and not condemn with a "I am holier than thou attitude"? Remembering the story in Luke 18: 10-14 in which the Pharisee and a tax collector came before God to pray. The Pharisee thanked God that he is not like the tax collector and boast about his good spiritual works. The tax collector strike his chest and asked for mercy reckoning himself a wicked sinner! Father God pronounced the tax collector justified and not the Pharisee.

Identify as in understanding that they are still not awakened from darkness like we once were. Remembering that our Father God is lovingly patient with them as He is still with us. Bringing to mind that our brother Lord Jesus gave up His being a deity to come all the way down to be like us; to understand us and feel for us; and abased himself further even to the death on the Cross! He identified with us so we can identify with Him.

And not forgetting that even we who have believed will at times be tripped by the adversary and fall. But we have an Advocate in Christ Jesus with Father God. Isn't it a wonder that father God says that He desires mercy and not sacrifice? Is this why Father God says that Vengeance is His, He will repay? (Romans 12:19)

That there are many who sin in darkness leads one to think that perhaps there are those who sin in light! Is this possible?

It is therefore perilous to adopt the "I am holier than thou" attitude. The Agapa love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). Remembering that this New King of Love is patient; kind; does not envy, not boastful, not conceited, does not act improperly, not selfish, does not act improperly, does not keep a record of wrong, find no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, hopes all things, endures all thing. Love never fades away. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Common', get real! How can anyone love like this?!? Never! Not with the human kind of Phileo love. But with the love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts. Yes, there will be times, and many of such, when we encounter those who are simply impossible for us to even look at them a second longer; let alone loving them.

But love is like a muscle that needs to be exercised and developed, isn't it? So we whisper to our hearts that we love them with the love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts. We may not have awakened to the Word of His power. But boy oh boy, those in the spiritual realm do! His Word reacts in our hearts and in the spiritual realm much more than that when you add menthos into Coke!

What in the world are you rattling about?!?

We reckon that behind every voice and physical body is a spirit. So it is that spirit we are dealing with. Therefore, we battle not against flesh and blood but against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness(of which Satan reigns), against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Aren't these the same principalities and powers that Jesus has defeated for us before His resurrection? (Colossians 2:15). And hence all things are possible for us in Him who strengthens us!

Nah, you are just too crappy!

We should focus on spiritual self development. We should learn to take our rights and privileges as sons and daughters of God: cast out demons, heal the sick, speak in tongues, lead mega congregations, understand all prophecies and all knowledge and have all faith, move mountains, be a spiritual giant! And now we are talking, my friend!

But, really?

If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Could this be what it means when it is written that Jesus will say to those who cast out demons and heal the sick in His name: "Depart from me, I do not know you".

I wonder. .....oh why why why I wonder!

Till we talk again, self!

(Self-Mind): Psst.. I think the writer of this post is going bongus. Seow liao! Gila ! Bo hor sey!

(Writer)Psst.. Self-Mind, I have the mind of Christ! Hallelujah!!!