From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2022 at 5:43 AM

Subject: 3-3-22 THOUGHTS

3-3-22   THOUGHTS

Christ , our perfect sacrifice, died as a sinner so that we could be the righteousness of God in Him. Such love is beyond us, and yet IT IS!  We must absorb such love and respond to it NOW in the Holy Spirit and in genuine love!  The terms used below to describe Paul’s ministry, his response, are soberingly humbling to us.  In Philippians 4:11 Paul states his contentment in all things, and in spite of all that’s listed here, Paul says he possesses all things!  We must learn!
Finally, verse 12 makes a most interesting statement.  Paul is saying to them, “We aren’t telling you how to behave, your own love and affection is causing you to behave admirably.”  2Corinthians 5:14a “For the love of Christ controls (constrains) us...”  The words we read below are not some “walk in the park Christianity!”  Can you hear the NOW term calling?  

2Cor 5:21-6:12    He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1   And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain —  2  for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" —  3  giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4  but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5  in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6  in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7  in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8  by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;  9  as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10  as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 11  Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. 12  You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.

My Prayer:
O Lord, may we see the blood bought kingdom as we live and not the pleasure of this world.  May we use our time wisely in the now tense.  Change our hearts, O God,  make them ever new to be like you and your Son.  Pluck us from mediocre living and renew our minds day by day to be a transformed people.  Remind us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that we might proclaim Your praises. Help us to see the light and tell this world of your light in Christ Jesus.   We pray in His name,          Amen.