The Bride of Christ

Hebrews 2: 2 - 4, For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? NKJV

Can you hear Him? Can you sense His Spirit? The Lord is calling His children (His Bride) back to Himself. Children of God have been given the greatest gift ever known to mankind. God has given us His only-begotten Son; and when we place our faith in Him, God extends His grace to us. We will know when we have received the gift of God's grace because we will love God with our whole heart. Instead of being afraid of God, we will develop and have a hunger to be in His presence and to learn more about Him.

God's grace isn't an excuse for sin; it is an exodus from sin. Therefore, we must become and remain humble in God's sight so that He can continue to set us free from the bondages of the flesh nature. When we read about the ongoing relationship between God and Israel in the Old Testament, we see that there were times when Israel honored God, and there were many occasions when they rejected Him. 

The Lord is calling His children to return to Him so that He can extend His grace and goodness toward us once again. It is our responsibility to become true disciples of Christ and to honor His commandments in our lives. Whenever Israel fell away from their relationship with the Lord, they would seek to justify their sinful ways in His sight. Of course, this ploy didn't work with God. He told them that their sins would find them out.  

Through their prideful ways, the children of Israel abused God's loving-kindness and tender mercies. Instead of being thankful to the Lord for all of His goodness and favor, they continued in sin. Like Israel, many in the body of Christ are also allowing their pride to cause them to abuse God's grace. In place of utilizing God's grace to draw closer to the Him, some are turning away from His goodness for the pleasures of this world. 

ALL believers everywhere need to get honest and serious about their walk with Jesus and to honor Him once again in their hearts. It's time for Christians to be salt and light so that others will see Jesus in us. God has placed His Holy Spirit in our hearts so that we will have the power to discipline ourselves. It is up to us to keep ourselves pure and undefiled by the world. Jesus has told us, "Where much is given, much is required." You and I have a mandate on our lives. We must choose to live godly in an ungodly world. Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of God. Let us judge ourselves so that we're not judged and condemned. 

It's time for the church (Bride of Christ) to rise to the moment and let the love and holiness of God shine out of us. Jesus is returning for a pure and spotless Bride. Let's rid ourselves of the spots and blemishes of the flesh nature, and put on true righteousness and holiness. Let the goodness and love of God shine through you so that God can use you to impact others in your family and world. May the grace of God draw us closer to Him than we've ever been before. 

His Grace Is Sufficient,
Pastor Asa Dockery