Sunday, September 1, 2024

Once again, we are reminded, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." When one member of the body of Christ is blessed and experiences success, the entire body shares in that blessing. This mirrors the dynamic of marriage, where the joy and victories of one partner resonate with the other, creating a harmonious and supportive relationship. In this way, we are called to celebrate the victories of our brothers and sisters in Christ, recognizing that their triumphs enrich our collective experience of faith and community. If our salvation relied solely on our own will and actions, we would find ourselves in a predicament where God's redemptive work would be contingent upon our ability to "come clean" with our shortcomings. There are teachings that emphasize the necessity of recognizing the complete truth about our condition before we can be saved. However, we hold the belief that God does not place the burden of repentance solely on our shoulders. The depth of our regret or the extent of our confessions, no matter how sincere, do not determine our acceptance by God. Our hope rests in the understanding that it is ultimately God who must perform an inward transformation in our hearts, independent of our comprehension or emotional state. If our salvation hinged on our capacity for repentance, we would perpetually fall short of the righteous standards set by God, making it impossible for our old will to cross the threshold into acceptability. The work of dismantling our old will is a divine mystery, a secret operation of God that operates beyond human understanding. This is why we witness individuals who grow up within the church community, yet do not recall a specific moment of prayer or decision-making. At some point, the inward work of the Holy Spirit transforms their will, aligning it with God's purposes. This concept is beautifully articulated in the Psalms, which emphasize that salvation is not merely about a one-time decision but rather an ongoing relationship with God. As Christians, it is crucial to grasp that we are no longer divided in our wills. The Psalmist teaches that we are called to unify our desires as a community, extending blessings to all fellow believers who seek the fulfillment of their desires. This Psalm serves as a guiding principle for our interactions within the Christian community. When we speak of or to other Christians, our words should be rooted in blessings rather than criticism or negativity. This aligns with the idea of unity in doctrine and fellowship. Just as the law provides a boundary we must not cross, this Psalm serves as a safeguard against divisive speech, guiding our conversations and interactions in a manner that reflects Christ's love. Many people in the faith community become fixated on the idea of making a decision for Christ. They believe that if they can muster enough confidence in their choice, they can also be assured of their salvation. However, such a focus does not cultivate true assurance. Instead, for those who grapple with doubts about their sincerity or the authenticity of their experience, the Psalmist reminds us to reflect on the nature of God's saving grace. It is He who provides us with the grace necessary for repentance. It is through His grace that we receive new desires, and it is in resting in His gift of salvation that our uncertainties can be settled. In essence, God has designed our unity to be expressed as a reflection of oneself. When we speak of others, we should do so as if we are speaking of ourselves, recognizing that our love for ourselves and our success are intricately linked to our attitudes and words concerning our fellow believers. This Psalm serves as a fallback position, a reminder to be mindful of the language we use when discussing other Christians. By meditating on its truths, we can withdraw from any tendencies to misuse language or engage in harmful speech. The Psalm also acknowledges a profound truth: "Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand." In contrast to those who place their trust in worldly powers, as represented by "Some trust in chariots and some in horses," we place our unwavering trust in the name of the LORD our God. While others may falter and fall, we are called to rise up and stand firm in our faith. The spirit of a Christian who genuinely prays for the fulfillment of desires among believers fosters a unity that triumphs in spiritual battles. The apostle compares our Christian fellowship to marriage, highlighting that just as the success of one partner is intertwined with the other, so too is our relationship within the church. The well-being of one member depends on how we treat one another, reflecting the principle of treating others as we would wish to be treated.

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