Many people look at Christianity and following Christ as merely a facet of culture that fits their personal philosophy. They see their way as “the way”, and like sound bites, they pick out the bits and pieces of the Bible that seem to go along with their way of thinking. A true disciple of Christ can’t remain on the sidelines like this. God won’t allow it. His plan for our individual lives will require a gradual, and sometimes quickly paced, all in kind of heart and mind. We’ll begin to view our personal philosophy as something the love of Christ will chisel down and rebuild with better tools and materials.
God’s goal is not to eradicate our personality, but to shape it into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. It will require us to believe the truth, which is the reality that Christ is life itself. Outside of him, there is no life. There is only an empty existence that will be without the possibility of spending an eternity in him. So, as every believer knows, to choose Christ is to choose love, and to choose love is to choose life—complete and lasting life!
Colossians 2:10(NLT) tells us, “So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” This completeness is everything! Knowing this truth as the beautiful dream that God planned for us long before we entered our mother’s wombs should prompt us to go deeper in faith. We should long to know Jesus Christ on a deeper level so that we can know ourselves as completely as we are known of God. We should be resolute in knowing that better relationships, self-acceptance, peace of mind, and the joy of the Lord are all found in getting to know Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.
Do you know that God is teaching you to love Him, and in so doing you are learning to love yourself? 1John 4:8(NLT) says, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” This is a truth great enough to send us on love’s journey for an eternity. God is love. He is love at its purest, most powerful and creative existence. His love is unconditional and has no limitations. Any sane and logically thinking person that can comprehend the breadth, width, and depth of God’s love has the capacity to love through Him. This is what 1John 4:8 is telling us. But, of course, whether or not we love through God in Christ is totally our choice.
In Mark 12:30(NLT), Jesus Christ commands, “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” To love God with every ounce of all that we are is the first and great commandment. So, by logical deduction, we can understand that love’s path becomes very foggy when we do not love God in the way that Christ requires.
In most all cases, troubles and reparable brokenness in our relationships occur because we are not loving God according to the commandment of Christ in Mark 12:30. It is a very commonly known fact that many women make the significant man in their lives their everything. They don’t understand that God is sovereign and magnificent in every way, and He cannot accept a number two position ever.
When we bypass what God says and seek to please people over pleasing Him, our spiritual sight and hearing are impaired, because we are not allowing ourselves to be governed by His truth. Women that trust and have faith in God do not compromise or apologize for who He has made them. They must not allow anyone to squash their potential and rob them of the bright future God has ordained for their lives. To be embolden in Christ is to be ever inspired to rise to the level of his example. There are no curve outs or addendums to the victory that Jesus Christ has won for us. When we stand on God’s Word, that stand will remain a catalyst that causes things to work for our good. This is what our completeness in Christ means. It is not a philosophy, and it is exponentially more than a lifestyle. Living in Christ is living God’s truth!
Again, the path to love and blessings in a relationship can look very foggy, and we might find that we are not prepared for it. There are things about us and hiccups ahead that we can’t see from where we’re standing. Heartbreak and disappointment can cloud our view. We underestimate the degree to which we must turn ourselves around and make a shift in our thinking. 1John 5:3(ESV) states, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” When it comes to relationships, many of us believe the exact opposite. We believe that God’s commandments are burdensome, that they can’t be kept, and that we’ll lose out if we follow the path of His love.
This is never the case. Yes, we will make mistakes, but they will not rob us of the bright future ahead if we correct our course according to God’s Word. Sometimes, all it takes is a slight change in our mindset to set us on the right path. Set your thoughts to those of victory and joy in Christ. Envision what God has for you, and let it keep you always. Honor yourself by honoring God, and don’t get caught up in feelings and emotions. Trust in the Lord, and keep your eyes stayed on Him. He holds your future in His hands, and it will beautifully unfold if you remain on the course of His love.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
“A Bright Future Even When the Path Look Foggy”, written by Kim Times, edited by Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2022. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
