Greetings 👋
A wise man said, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It is certainly true of our human nature. Christ alone promises transformation.
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Philippians 1: 15-18 (NIV).
What do you think? Has the body of Christ changed much since the days of the Apostle Paul?
Painting in the Grotto of St. Paul, Ephesus, late 5th century
I prayed for today’s scripture and this is what the Lord dropped into my spirit. Maybe we all need this reminder that God has high standards. Christianity is a come as you are religion, but we are expected to allow Christ and the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 (ESV).
#Bible #CarolSwainSpeaks
“A Call to Repentance
Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.”
Hosea 6:1-3 (NKJV).
Compliments of @patsylevang5 #Jesus #hope #peace #CarolSwainSpeaks