Bloom for Jesus

“Be not like the world”

“Be transformed into Christ’s image”

“Do not pattern the deeds of the world”

“Be ye holy, for I am Holy”

Those are a few commands we as believers are given by God as we through Holy Spirit cultivate a deeper relationship with our Father.

The Bible reminds us that if we are in Christ, we are made to be new creatures with the old things passing away, and all things being made new.

As I sit and meditate on this verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17, I am reminded that my response to my trying teen must be like that of Christ.

About a week ago, my teenager did something that offended me. I confronted him on the issue and his response was not what I expected. Truth be told, his response left me even more offended. As I pondered what transpired, I began plotting how I would “repay” him for his childish ways. I decided that because this whole issue was about him not doing what I told him to do in the instant I told him to do it, whenever he asked me to do anything for him I would either delay doing it or flat out refuse to do it.

Payback was the ticket I would use.

I laughed my “evil” laugh and plotted my revenge. My boy would not know what hit him because mama bear was going to take his ego down.

As I sat waiting for him to make a request of me, none came…until now, when he asked me to take him to Walmart.

Aha! Here was the moment I was waiting for.

The moment to let him feel the wrath of my “NO”.

As I opened my mouth and responded, I felt Holy Spirit pricking my heart with the above statements that began this post. I also began seeing where if I am desiring to have the nature of my “still developing” son, then basically what I am saying, is that I am wanting to put on the robe of the enemy.

Robe of choice??

Scripture clearly warns us to resist the devil and his evil deeds and devices.

We are admonished to put away or in better terms, get rid of – run from: malice, anger, lying, wrath, envy, slander, sexual immorality, foolishness, evilness, obscene talk etc. Rather, as God’s chosen ones we are encouraged to clothe ourselves in humility, kindness, meekness, forgiveness, compassion (Colossians 3:1-16).

We should put on the garment of praise, and to bless our “enemies”. No, I am not calling my boy an enemy here, (though if you have ever raised a teen or are raising one they tend to feel like one from time to time), I am saying that we must not strive to be like the opposition, we MUST BE LIKE JESUS.

The Bible clearly states that the love of this world is enmity with God. We should not love what the world (non-believers) does that our sole focus is to emulate them, especially the deeds that are contrary to the Word of God. We must be a light in the areas that are dark and ensure that when others look on, they see Jesus. We must die to our sinful nature and be raised in the likeness of our Savior.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Christ, the spotless Lamb of God came to take away the sins of this world. He had no sin of His own, no fault, no guile. He was Holy, righteous and unblemished. When I look at the sacrifice He made leading up to His death on the cross, He cried out to His Father to forgive us, you and me. He could have opted not to lay down His life knowing I was prone to disappoint Him time and time again yet He pressed on, He fulfilled the purpose of His Father.

We must not be rewarders of evil with evil.

We must not give place to the adversary of our souls.

We must be doers of good, and leave all sorts of vengeance to our Creator.

We must bloom like Jesus.

Lord, once more we bow our heads to You in repentance. We confess we are weak and are led to do our own bidding. We from time to time, yield to our own desires and pursue our own will. When we are hurt or offended, it is not easy to respond in kindness or in love. We ask that You provide us with grace to overcome each snare and trap that lay before us. May we be quick to forgive and slow to speak. Take our hearts Father and make it just like Yours. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

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