But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people."
(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’ For many are called, but few chosen."
Matthew 22:12-14
Have you ever wondered what GOD'S purposes are for you? Are you saved, accepted the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour? Fantastic, PRAISE HIM, heaven is assured! Go to church , listen to Christian radio, have the bumper stickers and the t-shirts?
You got the invitation, RSVP'd, and whether you pass from this life into eternity, or Jesus returns first... you showed up at the Pearly Gates. But is that all there is? When one is conscripted in the military, there is training, you are assigned a post, and you're given the tools. The soldier doesn't go into battle without weapons, and the knowledge, the strategy to gain victory over their adversary. But here is the point: many believers enlist, and that's it. No training, never consulting their superiors, never opening the toolbox or mighty arsenals placed at their disposal. It's time, people. Time to train, time to grasp the hilt of the Sword, the Word, time to close the ranks in the Body of Christ, time to ask Him and receive the revelation of the Knowledge of Jesus, time to get off the fence, out of the pews, and OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONES. Our Father/Bridegroom/Master/Lord is calling each of us, every one of us... he does not want us the just show up at the Wedding Feast, improperly attired and adorned.
Today, ask the Commander for your assignment, put on the Armor, and move in obedience and LOVE.
This is triumphant living.
"When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people."
(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’ For many are called, but few chosen."
Matthew 22:12-14
Have you ever wondered what GOD'S purposes are for you? Are you saved, accepted the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour? Fantastic, PRAISE HIM, heaven is assured! Go to church , listen to Christian radio, have the bumper stickers and the t-shirts?
You got the invitation, RSVP'd, and whether you pass from this life into eternity, or Jesus returns first... you showed up at the Pearly Gates. But is that all there is? When one is conscripted in the military, there is training, you are assigned a post, and you're given the tools. The soldier doesn't go into battle without weapons, and the knowledge, the strategy to gain victory over their adversary. But here is the point: many believers enlist, and that's it. No training, never consulting their superiors, never opening the toolbox or mighty arsenals placed at their disposal. It's time, people. Time to train, time to grasp the hilt of the Sword, the Word, time to close the ranks in the Body of Christ, time to ask Him and receive the revelation of the Knowledge of Jesus, time to get off the fence, out of the pews, and OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONES. Our Father/Bridegroom/Master/Lord is calling each of us, every one of us... he does not want us the just show up at the Wedding Feast, improperly attired and adorned.
Today, ask the Commander for your assignment, put on the Armor, and move in obedience and LOVE.
This is triumphant living.
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