CHRIST-DAILY
DEVOTIONS
  January 8th

INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"  (II Tim. 3:16-17).

Why has the scripture been given to us? The primary reason is so that we can know the Father and the Son in our relationship and have a full love fellowship with them (I John 1:3).  We are inspired by God once again as we read scripture from those who before us were inspired.  The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to relate, explain, and renew the mind.  When we are encouraged and edified by the Holy Spirit, often we are directed to inspire and encourage others when the need arises.  Certainly, our Father put Christ in us for fellowship and eternal salvation.  The very Spirit and nature of Christ in us will be regularly giving and expressing Himself in us as an inspiration and encouragement of others.  We are being completed and thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:17).  Inspiration and encouragement of others is an important part of every good work.

Paul shares with us that we "are the body of Christ, and members individually" (I Cor. 12:27).  When you have a pain or a cut in or on a part of your natural body, you go for medical attention.  There are times that various members of the body of Christ are also in pain or hurting in some manner.  Paul said, "if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (I Cor. 12:26).  When our brothers or sisters are suffering or in pain, there should be as much concern, as there is when I have a pain or a cut in or on a part of my natural body.  This is the love the Spirit and nature of Christ has within us for every member of the body of Christ.  Are we inspired with His love and concern for His body? Perhaps, this is why the body has not "all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13).  This also may be why some are like "children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14).

Let's begin today by always "speaking the truth in love" that we "may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ" (Eph. 4:15).  Let's ensure that we let the love and concern of Christ in us for others come out of us for the inspiration and encouragement of others.  We will grow only as much as we are letting every good work come forth to edify and grow the body in love! (Eph. 4:16). V

Written by Dwight Davis
Christ-Ministries
 

                                               

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