Life is Fellowship

The new covenant brings the new eternal life to earth that was never possible during the first 4000 years of our history. The following passage explains our new life: And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:3,7 (NLT). The new life is about our fellowship. 

Real life’s fellowship is not about hunting, a sale on shoes or eating at a fish place. It is a spiritual fellowship that is always about our relationship with God. Jesus “commanded” us to: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT). Spiritual fellowship is the proof that we are in the family of God. 

Every day of our life we have the opportunity to put God first. We do this because we have been given a new life which can enjoy Godly fellowship. Paul describes it here: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor 13:11 (NLT). Every church member should make these things the basis of their fellowship so they will be at peace with God. 

Christianity is about spiritual fellowship. People who are at odds with other church members cannot please God. Jesus said that we cannot even give a gift to God until we have settled their differences. The Bible says: So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Matt 5:23-24. 

This means that God is always interested in our fellowship because it is about “life” itself. Paul knew more about setting up churches that anyone. The Lord had given him the revelation of the Spirit filled new life covenant. And Paul said: I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. 1 Cor 1:10 (NLT). 

Spiritual fellowship is a “life” decision. Believe it or not, our position in Heaven will be founded on the actions of our earthly life. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”  And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. 1 Peter 1:16-17 (NLT). The fellowship of eternal life is the most important thing in this life.

Sharing a Belief

Christians should recognize other people who belong to the new covenant family. We are different from normal people. The Bible says: Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Col 3:10 (NLT). This complete change in a person places them in opposition to this world. The nature of a worldly person will always resist the righteousness of God.

Jesus spoke about people who serve God one time when His human family had asked for Him. He said: Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” Matt 12:50 (NLT). Our Savior had been sent to earth on a mission. He had been commissioned to build a righteous family for God. Jesus loved His earthly family but His task was to bring people together as brothers and sisters of the new covenant.

Believers under the old covenant could not be a brother or sister of Jesus. Today the servants of God under the new covenant have the privilege of joining the family of God. Paul explained God’s plan when he said: … his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29 (NLT). When we accept Jesus as our life we are accepting the past 2000 years of God’s servants as our own brothers and sisters. 

Today we must seek out other brothers and sisters in order to build a family relationship with them. It is natural for saved people to love other family members. The Bible says: If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 1 John 3:14 (NLT). Usually we can recognize them immediately because our spirits are joined together in Christ. 

The Spirit of Jesus unites us so that we can do the works of God on Earth. Christians are separate from the natural people of this world. It is necessary for us to support each other in our righteous living. Looking out for the poor and the weak is an important duty. Usually we are the answer to their prayer when we help them.  This is bringing glory to the Father and the Son when the Spirit guides our life in righteousness. 

Sharing a belief in God is a beautiful thing. We can encourage the family: Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. Acts 15:32-33. The result of godly encouragement is the growth of peace among the family members. Let it be so!

God Loves Us

There has never been an agreement that gave more love to the beneficiary than the New Covenant. A born-again believer receives hundreds of gifts here on earth and inexplicable gifts in eternity. The resources of God are unfathomable and they have been made available to the redeemed person through Jesus Christ. This is the truth of God’s spiritual world and it only requires our trust and dedication. 

When Jesus comes to live in our heart it means that our spirit is joined with His. This is the way we become a part of God’s family. Our whole new family revolves around His pure love. The Bible says our roots will grow down into the love of God. This will give us great spiritual strength because of the Spirit that is living inside of us. People are not really complete in their fallen condition. Entering into the love of God is the basis for the completion of our soul. 

The love of God was put on display when Jesus gave Himself to be killed on the cross. We can join in the Savior’s death and be allowed the opportunity of being a part of God’s love for eternity. In this world we can become a vessel that is filled with holy love so that the Spirit is able to direct us in a loving life. When we are used to lead another person to God it will be our privilege to see that soul enjoy heaven forever. 

People usually feel as though they are not good enough to live this privileged life of love. This is because our original condition in life is certainly unworthy. However the power contained in this new covenant of love is infinite and will change our life. During the last 2000 years redeemed people have tried to see how far they could push their faith. None of these great saints ever recorded that they had reached the end of God’s power or ability. 

Everything that happens in our redeemed life is for the glory of God. If we want to respect the new covenant we should work hard to carry out all of God’s plans. John said that if we don’t love others it proves that we are not a Christian. This is completely logical when we understand how that God’s love for us is the basis for the whole new covenant. May we spend our life glorifying the Lord and enjoying His love!

Loving Humans

No one loves humans the way God does. Although every person born since Adam and Eve has at some point shown their ugly nature God has continued to love humans for thousands of years.  The Creator has shown His grace to humans in many different situations in spite of our repulsive natural self. One beautiful example of God’s love says “but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” The Earth and its rainbows declare His love for humans.

Today the new covenant allows every person to find God and put their name in place of Noah’s. Because God’s grace is freely available we have a real opportunity to live in eternal glory. The Scriptures say: In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT). God loved us so much that He gave His Son to the human race and now His life and death is a substitute for Christians.

When we are living “in Jesus” a whole new life of grace is available to us. Every Christian will grow to learn that we are actually becoming a part of God’s grace. Paul mentions this in one of his letters. He said: … you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you… Ephesians 3:2 (NLT). A Christian is allowed to extend the grace of God to other people. Grace comes to us today through the Spirit.

Most of us can understand that the only way we really love other people is with the help of God’s Spirit. One writer said: …God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope… 2 Thessalonians 2:16 (NLT). The Spirit has brought the love of God into our life which motivates us to want to see others obtain His grace. The Spirit is the only one on earth that can bring this great love into a person. 

Knowing that it is difficult for humans to love each other the Lord has given us new covenant power. The Bible says: For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5 (NLT). We can begin to feel real love as the Spirit brings the life of Jesus into our own daily walk. This is a privilege that we should be ready to accept into our daily walk with the Lord. 

Therefore a born-again Christian will learn to love other people. Paul said that one way believers could prove their sincerity is by the love they have for people. The Bible says: We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. (for people) 2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT). Once again to repeat ourselves, this must happen through the Spirit in order to please God. 

Now it is important for each of us to understand that God really loves us. When we begin to see this fact, our life will become very different. We will look at others with a new attitude because we are part of the loving family of God. The Bible says: See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 (NLT). John felt that teaching about the love God has for us was very important. 

It is a difficult subject for many of us, to have a good understanding of love. But the Scripture declares: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. 1 John 4:16-17 (NLT). Our ongoing faith must accept the fact that God loves us. His love will somehow change our lives completely.

Diamonds

The Kingdom of Heaven can be found in the new covenant. Two parts of the treasure are explained in Scripture. Of course the main part is Jesus Christ and all that He has provided. The other part is the way the Lord reaches out for lost people and brings them into His family. A treasure must be found before anyone can enjoy it. Jesus brought the new covenant to earth but people must allow it to change them. 

The biggest obstacle to finding the Kingdom of Heaven is our own self-will. The new covenant can have no eternal meaning to us until our self-will surrenders itself to Jesus. Believers are required to serve Jesus as their King. Kingdoms must have a king that rules their citizens with purpose. The new covenant contains God’s will. Unbelievers cannot be part of the covenant because they refuse to serve the will of the King. 

This new covenant has Jesus at its center. The plan is for us to become united with the Savior so that His accomplishments can become our own. When this happens a new version of us will begin to grow out of our old dead nature. This miracle of this transformation will make us fit to live with God in His perfect world. The plan of God can frighten people at first but our King is kind and He will remove all fears. 

Learning about the New Covenant seems overwhelming when looked at from a human point of view. A person can certainly feel inadequate when attempting to write about it. There has never been more revelation of this subject than today. Fortunately for us, God’s great plan is about “faith” from start to finish. Therefore by faith, I begin my adventure into the discovery of the mysteries contained in God’s new covenant. 

Jesus taught us that this great treasure can be found. Redemption is truly the greatest hidden treasure in the universe. The beauty of this treasure will continue to be revealed for many years. Finding all the treasure is a life-long challenge of following directions. Of Course the Lord will help us solve our most difficult problems. An earthly treasure is soon gone but this heavenly treasure will last forever.

Diamonds are hidden in the earth and the Bible says that people have all been made from earth. It may be a poor analogy but the righteousness of God can cause people to shine like a cut diamond. God has given us the New Covenant and it has the power to shape us into a new righteous creature. We must be “shined-up” to live in the Kingdom of Heaven. Beginning as a diamond in the rough we learn about God’s new covenant. 

The value of a rough diamond cannot be seen until it facets are cut and polished. Afterward the purity and transparency of this crystallized stone can be admired. This flawless gem now has the ability to make the owner more glorious. God is investing His new covenant promises into humble humans. Those of us who accept His new plan for the Kingdom are certainly diamonds in the rough. We receive our value thru the new covenant. 

People’s natural failures have the ugliness of a rough diamond. We should fight against our old nature and seek to shine with the Pure Light. A new nature can be cut and shined by the exciting new covenant that God has provided. Our righteousness is contained in the new covenant. This is how we live righteously. The secret is Christ in us. This plan of God can change us into a cut diamond with great value.