^” By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;  for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;  and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.  And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.  Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”1 John 3:19-24 ESV.

“even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17 ESV.

People need people. Humans were made for companionship. We are wired to be connected with each other. We seek to belong. In fact, we shouldn’t be surprised because of the Creator of mankind, the Triune God: Father-Son-Spirit, is likewise a relational Being.

Yet instead of first realizing we belong to God, we seek others to satisfy all our inner desires. We desire immediate gratification to have our emotional cup filled by various social means. Instead of first accepting our identity in Christ, we search for who we are through other social organizations. Whether the workplace, gym, school, bar, church, or non-profit mission, we may know God is out there someplace, but admittedly He is not the central core of our relationship. What this means is we are simply missing out in life’s greatest dance.

Whether we are not aware of God’s residence within us, or we have been blinded by our faithless glasses, Scripture reveals the truth of the matter. When God is active within you, you know. You know because your behavior aims to please him. You find yourself in love with Him and others to the point you want to help them succeed in life. Your conscience is clean without any regrets as you serve Him. You realize the Spirit of God is producing fruit in your life. You find yourself magnifying your God through your actions and words. You know you belong with Him because His assurance lives within you.

When you are wrong He convicts you, not condemns you. His hand on you is like a loving Father who wants what is best for you. You find yourself changing from the inside-out through a process of His Spirit. Because of this Godly fruit in your life, you know you are in Christ and included with Him in the great dance of life. You know who you belong too. You know who you are.  You know whose Spirit lives in you. You know you belong. Yes, no one needs to tell you, you simply know – YOU BELONG!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 360
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Copyright 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matt 7:3 ESV.

Who among us is without sin? Who has never made a mistake in judgment? Who has not made a poor choice from a critical situation? Who among us hasn’t lived up to God’s expectations for us?
When you find that person, let me know. For the fact is, everyone we meet is like you and me, imperfect. They may think they are perfect. They may act like they are perfect. But deep, down inside, they are hiding behind a log in their own eye. Hypocrites.

I can imagine when Jesus spoke these words, he probably brought out a chuckle from the audience. For people who realize and live imperfect lives, know people who live in the illusion of perfection. These super righteous people establish high standards for themselves and expect others to live by them. Though they may forgive themselves when they can’t live up to them, they expound judgment toward those who can’t live up to their higher-than-God expectations. Hypocrites.

In fact, Jesus more than once gave a tongue lashing to the religious leaders of his day for being hypocrites. He even told his disciples to do what the religious leaders say to do, but don’t follow their examples and act like they do. For they don’t do what they teach others to do. Hypocrites.

Hypocrites are blind to their own humanity. Instead of exercising mercy and grace like God does for us, they play the god of religion. They establish standards and regulations that they themselves find difficult to perform but expect others to live by them. Hypocrites.

When Jesus Christ is allowed to express Himself in and through you, you become disdained for the hypocrisy in you and others. Yet you are thankful for the mercy and love that God has bestowed upon you and long to share the same experience with others. You slowly become more transparent in your relationship with others. You gain confidence in your walk with the Spirit and rejoice in the new creation that God is morphing in you.

You recognize the lie of hypocrisy in yourself and in others. However, you first focus on removing the large beam you have been carrying in your eye before you help address the small splinter in your associate’s eye. Isn’t this what we do as we allow Jesus Christ to remove the hypocrisy in us as he morphs you and me into his new creation?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 360
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved