Which God?

Which God?

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, Romans 15:5‭ AMPC

In understanding today's extract, it is good to look at the verses that lay the foundation. Those who are strong in faith are asked to bear the burdens of the weak. How do I know I am strong in faith? It is by my actions and reactions. Am I quick to point out other people's faults, so that I look like the saint and they like the sinners? Am I all about whatever promotes my ideas and concepts, while putting down those of other people? 

And Jesus laid down the perfect example of how this works: the mighty God came down in the form of the people He wanted to save, ate, drank and lived like them so He could provide the perfect context to how to help them live right. He didn't come to show off his superior glory, but He took all the insults, even death on a cross, so He could make it possible for us to be acceptable to God. His life pattern teaches us that in and by God, we have all that we need to please God. 

And in that light lies the essence of today's extract: which God was introduced to you that made you seek Him out? Was it a God of just earthly confort, or One that provides encouragement and comfort in the midst of the most distressing of circumstances? Nowhere does God say that if I come to Him, life becomes a sweet tale without accountability or responsibility. He promises me trials, but He also promises me His presence and power. Through the things He brings my way, He teaches me patience and endurance, encouraging me to stay the course and hold on to the end. 

I note it says that He 'gives the power of patient endurance and supplies encouragement.' He gives it but I have to show up and receive it. He supplies encouragement but I have to place myself in direct flow of the supply. How does God reach me if I am not where His grace can reach? I cannot continue in sin and expect that God's grace will abound. God makes it quite clear what His mode of operation and terms of reference are; He provides the strength, wisdom and power to choose, but I have to take the step. 

When I know what is ahead, I am not bogged down with the pressure and distractions of the present. The devil will have me focused on what I do not have now, or what I can become if I pursue it by my own strength, but Jesus here makes it clear that in and by Him, I have all that I need. I am able to live in mutual harmony and in full sympathy with other people, free from a spirit of competition or superiority. The example of Jesus becomes a lifelong drive, and keeps me sane and focused in the midst of a world that thinks it is on a race somewhere. 

Other people's welfare becomes my own pursuit, so that by the way I live, others will be attracted to the God I serve. That is something the world desperately needs at this time: people who know God, are comfortable in their knowledge and love for Him, and are a spring of comfort and joy to all who come in contact with them. You can't flow out with something you have never spent time acquiring and building up. So, which God have you met, or which God is directing the principles and outflow of your life? Are men seeing God in me, or am I all about show off? Which God? His time of favour is here.