In this New Year ~ Live and Declare the Works of the Lord!

The Supremacy of Christ
 
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.…Colossians 1:16-18.

As Christians, we live to declare the works of the Lord ~ Psalm 118:17! What are His works? He is the Creator of the universe, the Creator of all things seen and unseen! He holds all things together ~ Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3!

Loving your neighbor as yourself is His Agape love in us. It is not about doing something as in showing 'works' as in being 'nice'. Agape love is the love that does not judge. It is this kind of love that is able to see the wonder of God's design, His image in every man and be amazed as in awe! That is why we can love our neighbor as our self because we are amazed as in awe of our Creator and His creation! That is why, in everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you ~ Matthew 7:12! That means to Look past the sinful flesh and its acts; look at the spirit within and be in awe! 

Look at all people through the eyes of Jesus as He is the all inspiring all creating God! This is what I want others to do to me. This is the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ! In this way, we can forgive others who see just the flesh as we forgive ourselves for just seeing the flesh and not looking past it. This does not mean to encourage in others sinful acts of flesh and by loving them as God's creation we do not encourage sinful acts of the flesh, we reveal to them the love of God.

Of course, many argue that faith without works is dead as we read in James 2:8; but we are again back at questioning "works". Man tends to fall back on his works and not God's. Our only job is to live and to declare His Work, His Agape love made possible only in Him! This is what we come to understand as the works of the Lord done in us. All mercy and grace that is given to us is because we rest in Him, in His love and peace. That is why we can rest in His Presence at all times in all things declaring His Work in us. This is the testimony of 'our faith' that comes to light. 

We must first show other people the 'real' light in us showing that we are not dead, not useless, and not afraid, or worried or deprived in any way shape or form because our Hope is in the Lord, we are alive in Christ! And, in this way, we are able to love others and treat others as we want to be treated... as a Creation of the Lord!

It goes without saying that if a brother or sister in Christ needs a coat or a bowl of soup we will gladly give it and more if we can as we read in James 2:14-15. And, we are joyful in it because we know the truth and share that truth with our light, which is His light in us.

But never forget that the fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace and long suffering ~ Galatians. 5:22.