Two thousand years ago, the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
The context of this passage indicates that “the Word” is referring to Jesus Christ.
I’ve spent a lot of time this Christmas season pondering the wonder of Almighty God enveloping Himself in the flesh of a tiny Baby.
Emmanuel, God with us, is not some fanciful fable. It’s not an intangible idea lacking true substance. It’s a reality.
And not just an antiquated, two-millennia-old reality. It’s a reality that means something today. It’s a reality I can (and do) hinge my life on. I make decisions based on it. I adjust my attitudes because of it. I order my priorities in accordance to it.
And as I was meditating recently on the Word made flesh, the Holy Spirit spoke a timely truth to my soul:
God still wants His words to take on flesh.
God wants the things He has said in His Word to be lived out in His people.
He wants His words to be fleshed out as His people put them into practice.
As we are doers…not just hearers of the Word.
As we are appliers…not just learners.
As we are executors — ensuring that the will of Another is carried out…instead of simply being beneficiaries enjoying the inheritance.
Dear friends, we must actually do things to help the oppressed…instead of just talking about seeking justice.
We need to actually do things to demonstrate compassion…instead of just talking about loving mercy.
We must actually do things to nurture that relationship that’s more important than any other…instead of just talking about walking with God.
Yes, He still wants His words to be wrapped in human flesh…yours and mine.
God wants this for Himself. Our walk of grace, life, light, and truth reveals His glory.
He wants this for others. When we live a distinctive and authentic Christian life before people who don’t yet know Him, we give them a reason to want to know Him.
And He wants this for us. As our Creator, He knows with infinite perfection that a fulfilled and joyful life will be ours when we live to know Him…
live like we know Him…
and lead others to know Him, too.
I am deciding right here and now that I will STOP allowing conviction to stop short of change.
Will you join me?
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Has the Lord brought to mind other truths we read in His Word but often fail to put into practice? What other thoughts do you have about living out our faith? I would love for you to share your heart below!
Written by Jennifer Clarke
I so want this to be in my life, to live it fully for his purposes. I can be a very willful person which then really brings into questions just who’s will am I following , I would want this change to come is it to late at 58?
Hello, dear Kathy. No, it’s certainly never too late. Not at 58 or 98. It’s never too late to begin walking intimately with our Savior and allowing His love to flow through you. He loves you, and that’s what He created you for! My own heart is very willful; but the more time I spend with Him, the more time I WANT to spend with Him. And the more time I spend with Him, the more He conforms my heart to His. He has a wonderful way of softening our hard hearts and mellowing our stubborn spirits. But it does take time. Time invested in that relationship that is more important than any other. But time that is ALWAYS well worth it.
I so appreciate you stopping by. And I truly thank you for sharing your heart. I will pray for you and for your walk with our Lord.
Hi again, Kathy! I was praying for you just a little while ago, and this verse came to mind: “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). The desire AND the ability to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives comes directly from God. When we draw close to Him and cast ourselves on His grace, confessing our own inability to do any good thing without Him, that’s when He delights to show us all that He can do, in us and through us. Many blessings in this new year!
“I am deciding right here and now that I will STOP allowing conviction to stop short of change.”
Amen! Amen!! This was a wonderful post!
Thank you, Jane!