Our summer series on Gospel obedience continues, if you missed the beginning consider reading here, or here.
Therefore, having these promises… Promises of welcome and adoption, and before that, of His continual presence! His Gospel of regeneration and renewal, of circumcising your heart and abiding in and with you continually–this Gospel at work in you transforms you to obey, to walk in a manner worthy of Him, pleasing Him in all respects (see Colossians 1). He will, according to His promise, faithfully and continually be our God, in our midst, dwelling in us, and walking among us.
He has drawn us into, and will keep us in, the communion shared among the Trinity from before time and space and matter and all other ‘things’ were created.
A short prayer excurses
It has been a slow summer, that in many ways has vanished faster than a July morning dew. I have been reminded of my need to seek His face continually–not just in the midst of the hustle and bustle but by pushing pause, stepping outside of the hustle. So many fears can keep us in the grind–fear of missing out, fear of letting others down, fear of seeming unproductive in a pragmatic-materialist-industrial society…
While slowing down, this has been my prayer; for myself, for my family, for my church-family, from Jude 1:1-2. If you haven’t let this prayer become a springboard for a season of your own prayers, perhaps the month of August is the time! Slow down, muse upon the words, those that define you and those that bring assurance, and especially asking the Spirit to grow your understanding of, and your acknowledged need of, mercy, peace, and love.
To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy , peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Having His Promises
He has promised us Himself. We are His beloved, in Christ Jesus. Once again, revisit our summertime text from 2 Corinthians 6:
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
This quote from the OT, is one of many in which YHWH let His people know of His desire to commune intimately with His people. God created people in His image, not a mere physical representation but the whole being, heart and soul and physicality. Our Triune God has been working through creation and redemption to bring about this communion with His people, for His own glory.
Communion with God! Better than what Adam and Eve experienced in the garden.
This would not only be a walking among us, as in the Garden; it would also be a dwelling in us. This mystery has been written about by the apostles, and the Spirit indeed grows us in understanding as we feast on those doctrines, but we will never fathom the fulness of this blessing.
Set aside time to meditate on His teachings concerning life in Him, and communion with Him–but do so with the OT oracles and prophecies in mind. (Deuteronomy 30 & Ezekiel 37 perhaps) Renew yourself in the habit of daily reading from both the Old and the New Testaments. Let this month be one of renewing or beginning daily rhythms that will keep you in His love (see Jude 1:17-21)–feasting on His Word (consider this resource, the kindle version is free Thursday August 7-Saturday August 9), prayer throughout your day, and fellowship with the local body of believers that God has brought you to.
Next week we will finish our summer series in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 as we consider “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” We will consider how “perfecting” relates to “abounding” in Romans 15, and the “pressing on” of Philippians 3, remembering that it is the Spirit at work in us, both to will and to do. For just as we began by the Spirit, so we continue by the Spirit!
photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash