ABOVE AND BEYOND

 

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

 

In Vs 1, Paul sees himself not as a prisoner of Rome but for the Lord.  Paul had made a decision to appeal to Caesar after he had his audience with Festus because he knew if he went to Jerusalem that he would be killed.  In Acts 27:23, Paul was told by an angel that he was going to testify before Caesar.  Paul was waiting for an audience with Nero.  Nero would not be able to say he did not know.

 

a.       Circumstances did not put him where he was it was the will of God.  We need to learn this as well.  You are where you are for a reason.  All things work together for good when you trust the Lord.  That is why you listen to Prov 3:5-6.  You must also remember the example of Joseph when he told his brothers.  What you met for evil God turned to good.  Nothing happens without a reason.  Circumstances are neutral.  How you react determines what happens next.

1.      Time-out. Try to stop yourself from immediately reacting. 

2.      Ask yourself why this situation occurred to try to identify the root cause.

3.      What was your contribution to what happened?

4.      Don’t dwell on negativity. Move-forward with your day with a clear mind & positive thoughts.

5.      Pray and invite God into the situation.  Get wisdom from the word.

 

b.      Paul then urges his readers and us to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  James calls this faith with works.  Remember you are the Bible many people read.  You role model and example is Jesus.  Read the gospel to get a clear picture of this.  Have fruit that shows you are a Christian.  Be the same person in private and public.  Make sure you walk and talk line up.  Talk about what the young male cashier said about the church people.  The beautiful thing Paul then tells you exactly how to do it.  In fact in the next two verses he gives us seven examples. 

 

In Vs 2, Paul then gives us four practical things that will help us to live a lie worthy of the calling that we have been given.  Did you ever think you actually had been called?  You have like Paul, Matthew, Peter James, John we have all been called.  Salvation was not your idea.  You were dead in your trespasses and sins.  God in His mercy called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 

a.      Paul begins with be completely humble.  Biblical humility means believing what God says about you over anyone else's opinion, including your own. It requires embracing who you are in Christ over who you are in the flesh. To be biblically humble is to be so free of concern for your own ego that you unreservedly elevate those around you.   It is freedom from pride and arrogance.  It is an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving.

b.      Being gentle this is an exhibition of love. Being gentle means taking a step back from a stressful situation or scenario, and readdressing it later with the correct feelings and intentions.  Gentle comes from love, consistency of character, peace and empathy.  It means no matter what you do I will not do the same to you.  It means making a choice to forgive when wronged.  Gentleness is real strength. 

c.      Being patient.   It is a quality of self-restraint or of not giving way to anger, even in the face of provocation; it is mercy and compassion in action.  It means giving someone the benefit of the doubt.  It is also the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  It is faith, hope and love in action.  It is being patient with yourself and others.  It is Isaiah 40:31

d.      Bearing one another in love.  Being there for others.  Giving with any thought of recompense.  It is lifting others up.  It is coming along side and giving help and support.  Jesus told us to come to Him when we are heavy laden and struggling.   James says we are to give when it is our ability to do so.  This is our time, talents and resources.  When people need help the church should be there.  Talk about when we were in Salmon Arm we moved single moms.

 

In Vs 3, Paul gives the last three examples of how we should live a life worthy of the calling that we have received.  These three are absolutely essential to get along with everyone at any time.  These are also decision of choice.

 

a.       Make every effort to keep unity.  Unity means the quality or state of being one. 2 : the state of those who are in full agreement. 3. Harmony.  It means going the extra mile.  Agreeing on the things you can.  A conscious effort to overlook the fault, failures, foibles of others.  The secret is the next point.

b.      It is unity in the Spirit.  It is our faith and love for Christ that is the center of our unity.  As the church we have more to unite us than divide us.  In Canada alone there are hundreds of denominations.  Here are the essentials of the faith.  Deity of Christ, salvation by faith, salvation through Jesus Christ alone, resurrection of Jesus Christ, monotheism, virgin birth and Trinity.  We also believe that Jesus is Savior, healer, baptizer in the Holy Spirit and soon coming king.  The main ordinances of the church are communion and baptism in water.  It is the Spirit who will help us but we have to make a decision to do this.  Remember there is more right with the church than is wrong.  Please do not become a critic instead be an encourager.  The secret is listening to the Spirit as He reveals the word.

c.      Lastly, through the bond of peace.  Peace is absence of conflict and warfare.  There is a bond of peace between us.  Our love for Jesus Christ is our bond.  That is what makes us brothers and sisters.  Our mutual salvation makes us family.  The Prince of Peace has given us peace and we in turn must do the same in our world.  Especially within the family of God.  It is having a peace loving spirit that puts the stress of what we have and not on what we do not have together.  It is an agreement a fellowship, friendship among family and friends.  I like this last thought.  In our spirit and in our day to day walk donning the garments of gentleness, humility, and patience as we seek God’s healing in our relationships.