I Then Shall Live

     I have been praying and asking God to help me with many things this New Year.  I was so touched by a song we are to sing at church in the morning that I wanted to share it.  The Word says that we are to worship "in spirit and in truth". John 4:24.  Sometimes when we sing songs, when I sing songs, I wonder if we really get the true meaning.  As I list the words to this faithful hymn, see what you think.  

"I then shall live as one who's been forgiven.  I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.  I know my name is clear before the Father.  I am His child and I am not afraid.  So greatly pardoned I will forgive my brother.  The law of love I gladly will obey." 

     Already this song had my attention.  I knew I'd sung it before, but the words had such new meaning today.  Do we know our name is clear before the Father?  Jesus paid our debts.  We are forgiven and there is no condemnation for us.  "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus".  Romans 8:1 So, if we have unconfessed sin in our life, we repent, turn from it back to God.  God doesn't recognize our sin historically-as in when we mess us He pulls our file and adds our sin up...NO!  "As far as the east is from the west, [So] far has He removed our transgressions from us". Psalm 103:12.  He chooses not to remember our sins.  Thank You, God, for that!  And did you know that if we know that we are loved we have no reason to be afraid?  "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18.  And since you know this depth of love and forgiveness, can you forgive someone who does not?  Even if it hurts?  Even if it's hard?  May God give you, us, the strength to let go of unforgiveness, hurt and hate this year so that you may increase in love and Godliness.

"I then shall live as one who'd learned compassion.  I've been so loved that I'll risk loving too.  I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges.  I'll dare to see anothers' point of view.  And when relationships demand commitment, then I'll be there to care and follow through." 

     By this time I was in tears.  Do I really know how to love?  Do I put my heart out there for folks to stomp on for Christ's sake or do I love the ones it's "safe" to love?  Do I love my enemies?  Do we love our enemies?  Their hatred of Christ sometimes makes me shy away from them because it is directed at me.  Jesus told us, ""If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." John 15:18 In fact, "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." John 15:20.  Can we dare to listen to them?  Could we, could I, listen so that we can understand where their pain originates so that we can apply the balm of the Gospel to their wounded soul?  Not as a spiritual band aid but to truly love them enough to reveal to them where their help will really come from?  It is hard!  It is uncomfortable! But Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life!  If we love our enemies we will pray for their salvation and commit to it. We may even have to "endure" them as they "endure" us for the sake of Christ.  I know I can be a pain though I try not to be but I try to be real.  Let them see your witness lived out!  Your walk speaks louder than your words at times.

"Your Kingdom come around and though and in me.  Your power and glory, let them shine
through me.  Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor and may Your living Kingdom come in me.  The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor.  And may You feed a hungry world through me." 

     We are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.  Romans 12:1.  When we get out of the way, more of Christ can move in and out of us!  When we are filled with Christ we are living out the power of Him.  Christ in you is the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27.  May we walk in a manner worthy of Him so as not to tarnish our testimony. Then people may receive our words as God softens their hearts to receive it.  What an awesome thing to serve the Most High God and serve Him well.  How incredible to be privileged to share the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. Lord, bring in the harvest!

     Could you sing this song and mean it?  My prayer is that this year you will.  That we will.

To God be the Glory,
Jamie