Response!

Response!

But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love. Ephesians 4:32 TPT

As always, when there is a BUT in a sentence, it is good to take a step back and see what came before it. The verse before today's extract says: Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. For me to fulfil today's extract, there has to be a taking off or a laying aside of other things. It appears to me that you cannot combine these two verses in the same human vessel. Pray, tell me, how does one person engage in revenge, profanity and insults and can still be kind, affectionate and forgiving to other people? 

There has to be clear and visible evidence of my allegiance. I cannot claim to be one thing, when all the physical evidence from my life points in the opposite direction. This passage is addressed to people who had been sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day or redemption. You can't have the Holy Spirit in you and still produce fruit that lines up with the godless nature. You cannot drink of the Holy Spirit and not have works or fruit that aligns with your ownership status. I just need to check again: who is in charge right there in my heart? Who is ruling and directing affairs?

You know, you can't force it. I don't have to shout about it in your face; the evidence will always speak, because it's proof is seen in how I relate with people around me, not ghosts. Why am I asked to be kind, affectionate or forgiving to other people who share the same faith and belief system as me? Because when we all get it right, we become a loud message that cannot be ignored. The world sits up and takes notice because it has seen something unique and different from itself. If I do what the world expects, how do I show God off? If I blend in with the world, how would the world know it needs help?

And we have the perfect example already; the One who loved us so much that He gave us His all. He held nothing back, and He demands that all who claim to follow Him must do the same. The world will not be challenged by mere words, dogma, principles or rhetoric, but it will be affected by lives that show off the grace, mercy, power and love of God. His love is the template. His Spirit is the seal. His life is the example. We are his visible army, and the world awaits our manifestation. If I don't stand out, I am being untrue to the One who called me out of darkness into His marvellous light. What are you and I waiting for? Shine out. His time of favour is here.