I was inspired by these words of Charles Spurgeon: “If there be a poor tried believer, weep with him, and bear his cross for the sake of Him who wept for thee and carried thy sins.”
When we were in our our weakest estate as sinners before God, Jesus as both God and man, carried our cross.and reconciled us to God and God to us.
Are we likewise willing to show mercy and grace to others? Are we willing to intercede and pray for them, encourage them, forgive them, pardon them, bless them, and cover their sins as He did ours? Are we too willing to take up Christ’s ministry of reconciliation here in Silver Spring Township?
These are not easy actions to undertake, in fact this only comes about as the supernatural byproduct of our desiring and going after Him, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross and following Him, the One who joyfully carried the cross for us and took us and our sins into Himself on the cross, even while despising the shame (see Mark 8:34 and Hebrews 12:1-2).
Jesus fulfilled His ministry in subjection to His Heavenly Father and the apostle Paul says that we as followers of Christ are to take on the same attitude (Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 5:5-10).
The apostle Peter even goes so far as to say that this is our calling in Christ: “21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:20-25, NIV).
This high calling comes from Heaven and therefore the same Holy Spirit who was given to assist Jesus in His ministry has also been given to empower us for ours. Let us empty ourselves of our ourselves and be being filled with His Spirit so that His life and ministry is fulfilled here in and through us (see Romans 8:10-11, Ephesians 5:15-21). What a calling! what a life!
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