Romans 6:5. For if we have been planted together (united) in the likeness of his death, (certainly) we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
TGIM mih people! (smile) Yes, thank God it’s Monday and the breath of life is still flowing through our bodies, although times might be a bit on the rough side! We need to believe that while there is life, there is indeed hope for things to get better. And that supreme assurance, that undeniable optimism cannot be found in any other place or person than our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; the sinless Son of God, who sacrificed His life for us. Ah friends, that sacrificial undertaking gives us so much encouragement for the future, especially when we take His awesome resurrection into account.
As Bruh Paul put it to the church at Rome, when talking about freedom from sin’s power. ‘Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like (just) as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together (united) in the likeness of his death, (certainly) we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:’ (Rom. 6:3-5)
And isn’t it wonderful to know my people that once we’re baptized into Christ, become His true followers, that everything that’s happened to Him will also happen to us! We’ll die with Him, but then too we will rise again, just like He rose again, and be with Him forever. Now if that doesn’t give us great hope for the future, then I don’t know what will nuh. Yes friends, baptism joins us to Christ at salvation, through the Holy Spirit, we become one with Him, and therefore we are expected to do our best to act like Him. He’s to be our example. Consequently, we’re expected ‘to walk in newness of life.’
As the scholars explain it: ‘We should live our everyday lives manifesting resurrection life; free from sin’s control.’ Oh my people, resurrection life begins in the here and now, not after we’re dead and buried! This is where we have to start preparing for heaven. Start storing up our treasures there so when we get there we’ll have a full and healthy treasure chest. We can’t just go there empty handed and expect to reap enormous benefits. (smile) Remember the motto of heaven’s economy is you reap what you sow. So we must begin living the good and righteous life from right down here on earth.
Remember the words Jesus taught us to pray: ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’ (Matt. 6:10) That basically means we have to pray for God’s will and implement it here on earth, like it’s implemented in heaven. Or as the scholars expound: ‘Thy will be done emphasizes the idea that prayer is to bring about the conformity of the will of the believer to the will of God. Prayer is an act of spiritual expression that brings us into conformity to the very nature and purpose of God.’
Remember too friends that God’s avowed purpose is to have all of us conform to the likeness of His wonderful, obedient, well behaved Son, as He raises us from glory to glory. So we do have work to do down here, not on our own, but always with His divine help. The Lord sacrificed His Son for us, and He expects us to follow Christ’s lead and sacrifice on His behalf too.
Yes, we have salvation and resurrection and all the wonderful promises of heaven, but we have to first make the effort, the decision to come to Jesus and then live the way He desires of us. Salvation is free through grace, but the rest of the ride requires us to pick up our cross and follow Christ, fulfill the purpose and plan the Father has for our lives.
And since we’ve said above that prayer brings us into conformity with God’s will, then let us go to Him through that wonderful medium nuh. Let’s bare our hearts and souls to Him through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. As one voice now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive and standing in faith despite the mass confusion that’s currently prevailing in our world.
We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems; the pandemic of Covid -19, the racial, political, and religious strife that’s ignited worldwide, plus the natural disasters like storms, famine, drought, plagues, climate change, wildfires, earthquakes and erupting volcanoes that suddenly seem to be blossoming more and more as time goes by.
Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction to bring our problems under control.
And for those who are currently suffering from the many negative situations, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’
And I do hope that our hearts were sincere else the Father won’t answer our prayer. Much LOVE!
…without plenty sincere prayer and repentance…earth will never even vaguely resemble heaven…
SCRIP-BITS 