Rejoice:

 

Read:

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Paul has been challenging our Christian life in the last couple chapters. He has been pushing us to make radical changes like valuing other people above ourselves! Now he is putting some conditions on it: if you’re mature you should take these views. He points out that these changes are a sign of a mature believer, someone who has realized their authority is in the Word.

He knows many of the hearers may not be on the same page YET. So he gives them the solution: God can change you. He says that God will make these things clear to them! If they, or you, don’t agree with the principles Paul has talked about so far all you need to do is pray for God to make these things clear to you, to shift your perspective.

So we ask why? Why should we be changing these things? Well, because it’s a part of our positional truth in Christ. We have been reconciled with God and this is a part of it. He says “let us live up to what we have already attained.” This is already true about you, all these principles are true you just may not be living in them!

Paul, knowing that reconciliation with God has happened, challenges these believers to marry their earthly experience with their heavenly position. He challenges all who are mature to make the change. Then he reminded them how to get that change if they are struggling with it. Finally, he comforts them letting them know this is their new nature! They have access to these perspectives or christian life changes, since this is what God has made them into. It is only their duty to take hold of this new character and walk in it.

Respond:

Here I am, praying as paul has instructed. You alone are able to make these christian characteristics a reality in my life. You alone God can cause my positional reality to be made one with my earthly experience. Help me to make changes in my life as You would have me. Change me today, tomorrow, and forever more. Amen

Relate:

Remind someone that God is the one who makes changes in our life. Remind someone who feels they are failing. Tell them that our power is found in Christ, and only when we pull on His power, in the Spirit, will we experience true change. Share this devotion on Facebook! Sometimes we take for granted the little things we already know. We read a devotion and sometimes discount it’s importance because it is something we have already applied. If you find yourself here please remember there was a time when you didn’t know. There was a time someone had to tell you these truths! Regardless, the Word of God is powerful and changes lives. Help someone else receive radical change by sharing this! 🙂