Open Lives Pt 5
...Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!
2 Cor. 6:13 Message Bible
I am still thinking about this verse. There is so much expectancy and energy that comes up in me as I think about the implications of living open to God. My focus today is being open to correction. Please don't stop reading - I promise it's not as bad as it sounds.
My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof. For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Prov. 3:11-12 Amplified
Correction is usually difficult to take. Most people struggle with being called out because they do not understand the benefit that comes with it. Human nature is very self centered and we tend to think more highly of ourselves than we aught to. There is a lot of pressure to be the best and to be perfect but this is a lie from the enemy. We are fooling ourselves if we think that we will never mess up or make mistakes.
I grew up with the idea that mistakes and failures were opportunities to made fun of and ridiculed. I had the belief that if I could not do something perfectly that I was not to do it at all. I don't need to tell you that I messed up a lot and with every fault or bad choice I made came belittling and name calling and isolation. God is not like this.
God does not expect perfection from us because He knows we cannot do it. That is why Jesus came and gave His life for ours. This doesn't mean that God will not give us a swat on the behind to get our attention when we get off track.
The great thing about God's correction is that it does not come with or include condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Correction from God comes with love and mercy. That does not mean we won't feel the sting but that with the sting we also get wisdom and understanding.
Living open to God's correction allows us to grow and mature in our Christ-likeness. It promotes health and growth and the ability to help others who may go through similar situations. This dependence on God to keep us in line is talked about by David in Psalm 139.
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 Amplified
Keeping our hearts and our lives open to God allows us to be shaped and formed into the image of Christ. It leads us in the way everlasting.
Heidirn
2 Cor. 6:13 Message Bible
I am still thinking about this verse. There is so much expectancy and energy that comes up in me as I think about the implications of living open to God. My focus today is being open to correction. Please don't stop reading - I promise it's not as bad as it sounds.
My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof. For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Prov. 3:11-12 Amplified
Correction is usually difficult to take. Most people struggle with being called out because they do not understand the benefit that comes with it. Human nature is very self centered and we tend to think more highly of ourselves than we aught to. There is a lot of pressure to be the best and to be perfect but this is a lie from the enemy. We are fooling ourselves if we think that we will never mess up or make mistakes.
I grew up with the idea that mistakes and failures were opportunities to made fun of and ridiculed. I had the belief that if I could not do something perfectly that I was not to do it at all. I don't need to tell you that I messed up a lot and with every fault or bad choice I made came belittling and name calling and isolation. God is not like this.
God does not expect perfection from us because He knows we cannot do it. That is why Jesus came and gave His life for ours. This doesn't mean that God will not give us a swat on the behind to get our attention when we get off track.
The great thing about God's correction is that it does not come with or include condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Correction from God comes with love and mercy. That does not mean we won't feel the sting but that with the sting we also get wisdom and understanding.
Living open to God's correction allows us to grow and mature in our Christ-likeness. It promotes health and growth and the ability to help others who may go through similar situations. This dependence on God to keep us in line is talked about by David in Psalm 139.
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 Amplified
Keeping our hearts and our lives open to God allows us to be shaped and formed into the image of Christ. It leads us in the way everlasting.
Heidirn
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