Greetings In Christ Jesus!
It is a wonderful reality that we have been chosen by God from the foundation of the world to be His very own children and therefore to be able to know that God our Father, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son, has called us to live right here and now in abundant life, unlimited grace, and has provided the means for us to have PERFECT PEACE, even in the midst of every storm that this life brings!
This message is to highlight the best goal for this life based on what God has promised and provided for everyone who believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we begin to operate in our discipleship, which is the process of: “Learning to Be Christ-Like” (The Goal Of Believers)
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Micah 7:7 – 8 (KJV)
Mic 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Mic 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12 – 17 (NKJV)
Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Col 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) Micah the Prophet reveals some realities about the mindset of the ones who believe in God and have been called into discipleship, which is a life-long system of being taught by God how to navigate everything in this life within the fallen world while remaining in the peace, love and protection of the Almighty at all times, regardless of what kind of attacks the enemies of the Gospel happen to be putting down at the moment!
2) The Apostle Paul is teaching the Colossians and us, to realize that we have been selected by God and given His righteousness and therefore, we begin to learn to walk in His ways and mirror His attitudes, and display “Christ-likeness” in everything we do because we have now experienced the “new birth” and therefore, we must learn to walk in His peace, His Word, His wisdom, and to be grateful for everything and toward everyone.
3) The goal of being Christ-like is the target for each one who is saved by God and there are no “super-saints” because the righteousness we All have is a foreign righteousness which came to every believer as a gift from God, which is the main reason that we have nothing to boast about and should give all praise to Jesus Christ Who alone is LORD!