“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” (2 Corinthians 5:17 Amplified Bible)
What do the following have in common; a couch, a chair set for the dining room, a color coordinated headboard, and a computer desk that matched the color palette of the living room? Was your answer, “They all begin with “C?” They do, but that’s not the correct answer. Maybe you responded, “They all have something to do with creative design in one’s house?” Well, in my case they did, but sorry, that’s not the correct answer either. “Were all these items purchased without even leaving the comfort of home?” You’re getting closer! They were all indeed ordered online. Well, two of them, the desk and the couch were purchased online, but I had to go pick them up. Here’s the answer: All of these items had to assembled once they arrived. Do you remember me talking about how pre-school training in Puzzle 101 helped children develop problem solving skills and a persistence to complete assigned work, traits that would be useful in adult life? Well, once again, I had to rely on Puzzle 101 in assembling each of these. I almost gave up on a couple, but after letting them sit for a couple of days, in each instance I went back and did what I should have done at the start. I read the instructions. The result? I got them assembled and assembled with, hallelujah, no leftover parts that would leave one puzzled, even beaten or baffled.
It’s Saturday again, so let me share something about our commonality as believers. Like the décor items above, we are all distinctly different in size, shape, color, nationality, ethnicity, gender, socialization, indoctrination, maturation, etc. We have all been fearfully and wonderfully made, based on Scripture. However, we have something else in common. To ensure that we are truly putting things together as time requires more assembly during our spiritual growth, we all, with no exceptions, we all must keep going back to our instructions, our operation manual, the Bible, and follow what is written to come out just as our Manufacturer, God Almighty, had in mind. We must read the word, readjust our character as necessary in response to the word, and reach toward perfection letting the word being revealed in our living; making perfect progress, especially since Jesus said, “Be ye perfect as I am perfect.” Perfect progress is required of all of us. It’s Saturday, so I won’t keep going on. You get the point. But I will add one more thing about our commonality. We will not miss the assembly of the saints, face-to-face or via virtual worship services due to the ongoing restrictions of the pandemic and its impact on us personally. However, let someone, anyone, or everyone, say of us, “He/she did not forsake the assembly of the saints.” Enjoy your Saturday and start getting ready to join the church in their common characteristic of coming to worship the Lord and to be fed from the word of God. Eat up as the word comes down specifically for you! Be blessed!
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King