John 17v22 “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one 23 I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
- Jesus
Colossians 3v1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Earthly mind vs Heavenly mind. Life is seen in a new light when Christ brings himself into our lives, and the world hates that. Effectively our new hope is hidden to the world in that hate. The enemy will try every deceiving tactic possible to steer us away from our heavenly mind and shut down our testimony to share the new way of life that conquers that of this earth. This is why we must armor up daily through prayer and the word to look past the distractions and keep focus on the kingdom; to put death to an earthly mindset and keep our eyes on Christ who gives true life.
Colossians 3v8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Shed the old self and bare the new coverings of righteousness in likeness of God the Father through His son Jesus. I like that our new self is “being renewed in knowledge,” as it is an on going growth to become more and more like Christ. It doesn’t all happen at once but as we seek in prayer, rely on faith and the word our lives take shape of our creator. This journey of a lifetime is a mold for eternity.
Isaiah 40v29 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Acts 5v40 …They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
We rarely suffer to the point of shedding our own blood for the name of Christ, but when times of trouble pollute our mind and spirit can we rejoice in the suffering knowing God is going to do a mighty work of victory in our lives? And better yet continue to live a life of ultimate praise and proclamation to the good news that is Christ our savior?
1 Peter 4v12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
John 15v4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.