Trusting God

Psalm 112:7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? 1 Corinthians 15:53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. Trusting God who loves us that I have no fear of what will happen to me because I trust Him and His decisions. 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." People who fear what might happen to them is not trusting God. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Unconditional Love but Conditional Discipleship

Salvation is free through Grace (undeserve kindness) of God and His unconditional love. Is God's grace cheap? Becoming a disciple, following Jesus Christ requires personal cost, giving up your selfish "me" and become like Christ. Love is NOT conditional however discipleship is conditional. Love is very unconditional. I love my kids unconditially regardless if they don't love me or obey me. Love is not the issue. Its Grace and Obecience. Reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, "The Cost of Discipleship" which first published in English in 1949. He wrote: 'costly grace' as opposed to 'cheap grace,' which he described as 'Grace without price; grace without cost,' or "grace without discipleship.' To Bonhoeffer, costly grace is inseparable from discipleship. Bonhoeffer’s concept of "costly grace" has appealed to many who think it is the answer to the apathy and worldliness of contemporary (1930's) Christians. Following Christ is costly in many ways. The greatest cost of all is to the old nature, ego, self. Nowhere in the Gospels do I find anything optimistic for earthly promises. Jesus told His hearers the whole truth and let them make up their minds. After Jesus spoke to "followers" (disciples) about the conditions, they turned back and no longer followed him. (John 6:66). Jesus might have grieved over His Cost of Discipleship requirements, but He never ran after them to try to win them with rosy promises. Christians all around us are trying every shortcut they can think of, to get "something for nothing" in the kingdom of God. Although God's grace has been given freely to humans who do not deserve it, the grace of God and point out that Jesus commanded us to take up our cross and follow Him. Our minds are so much set on things earthly and so little on things above. To grow in Christ as God desires demands on our submission to Him.

Spirit-filled Church

Every Church can and should be very very spiritual. It is not the issue whether we are too spiritual or you say "overspiritualise things". It is rather some are focusing on some or specific spiritual agenda rather than unity. We should not be too "hot" or too "cold". If you ever had occasion to drink a lukewarm soft drink, you know the feeling. The key is that we must worship God in Spirit with other believers regardless our "personal" opinion on a specific doctrine which we will often see that there will be disagreements. We are to have a spirit-filled church and spirit-filled worship. When Jesus said John 4:23-24 "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." We are commanded to worship in spirit and we should be spiritual. We ought to live as direct response to spiritual transformation from the inside. We are working on spiritual attitudes of our hearts. We who know and love Him are the living church that has been born into the family of God by the Holy Spirit. As members of "the general assembly and church of the first-born, who are written in heaven" (Heb. 12:23), we have been declared righteous because our sin has been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5). We have to realize that a local church's accomplishments will depend upon members' spiritual condition. If the people are submitting to the Holy Spirit, who will give them fruit. Quality is measured by the Christ-like living of a local church members. Let the Holy Spirit do what He will through you and see what He does with you. Just allow the Holy Spirit plant the desires to serve the spiritual gift or gifts and watch fellow members affirm your spritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:12 "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." The idea of the spiritual gifts is simply that the Lord uses that gift in a unity, in a unifying way. God will use our spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills. Spirit-lead is outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." That we should "not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) That if we have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make our joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2). Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).