What We Are; Yet WHO We Contain!
“This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
(1 Corinthians 4: 1-2 NASB)
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”
Transitions have become my favorite words.
I realize someone who knows me might exclaim: “You are such a _______” (but let’s just leave the blank empty because the answer could be different for so many).
Transitional words—truly beautiful words.
Consider:
- We are this; however, we . . .
- We project this; furthermore, we . . .
- We became this; moreover, we . . .
- Amazingly, we received this; nevertheless, we remain . . .
- We walked in this way; therefore we . . .
- We have willing accepted this gift; consequently, we . . .
- We walk in this way; additionally, we . . .
We identify with Christ; thus, we call ourselves Christians!
We could continue but let us pause to see what we have noticed. Each stem begins with a statement declaring those many different descriptors—of What We Are; NEVERTHELESS, we end the stem with a statement left open, allowing each to remember—What We Contain!
Transitional words are transactional.
Transitional words often come at the end of a statement, preceded by a semi-colon, a punctuation that “ends” but one that also “connects” to that which is to come.
Transitional words often are followed by a comma allowing the reader to take a slight pause, preparing himself for that which is to come.
Transitional words are bridges, meant to connect, & they are also separators, meant to divide and classify so that we can observe the differences.
Transitional words are necessary words used within most conversations, writings, and thoughts.
If we could peer inside our heads, we would see the way our lives were constructed around the transition(al) seasons. We would see how this—led to—that & how this—kept us apart—from that.
Therefore, because transitional words are so important, let us pause to fill in the ends of the stems we began.
- We are this—alive in this world; however, we are on our way home to heaven!
- We project this—our humanness; furthermore, we are not perfect here on earth as we walk toward our eternal life!
- We became this—a child of God; moreover, we belong to the KING!
- Amazingly, we received this—God’s mercy & grace; nevertheless, we remain sinful creatures!
- We walked in this way—in the way of Jesus; therefore we are heirs with Christ!
- We have willing accepted this gift—one we could never earn; consequently, we owe God our EVERYTHING!
- We walk in this way—in the path the Holy Spirit leads; additionally, we strive to be more like our Savior Jesus!
We identify with Christ; thus, we call ourselves Christians, & as such:
“This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
(1 Corinthians 4: 1-2 NASB)
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”
There is a certain tension between what we are & what we have become.
We are here; yet we are also there.
We live; yet we are not home!
We walk around within our flesh, bones, and blood; however, we are covered by the redeeming blood of our Lord!
We are human, sinful individuals, so in need of an Amazing, Sinless, Savior!
We are this; nevertheless, we are also that.
We know What We Are; Yet We also Know What We Contain!
In Fact, We Also Know WHO WE CONTAIN WITHIN US!
“For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.”
(Titus 3: 3-8a NASB)
NEVERTHELESS!
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, . . .”
HE SAVED US!
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, . . .”
“BUT IN accordance with His mercy,”
AND ALSO!
“by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This statement is trustworthy; . . .”
- MOREOVER—This statement is TRUTH!
- FURTHERMORE—This is HOW GOD OFFERS SALVATION TO MANKIND!
- HOWEVER—One must Accept, Believe, & Confess—to receive the SAVING GRACE GOD OFFERS!
JESUS—HE IS THE BRIDGE TO GOD’S SALVATION!
JESUS—HE STRETCHED OUT HIS ARMS ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY!
JESUS—HE MADE THE WAY TO KNOW GOD!
JESUS—HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO SAVE YOU & ME!
JESUS—HE DIED A DEATH HE DID NOT DESERVE!
NEVERTHELESS, JESUS—AROSE TO NEW LIFE, DEMONSTRATING FOR US THE LIFE WE CAN RECEIVE THROUGH HIM!
JESUS—HE IS THE ONE WHO SEPARATES & CAUSES US TO REALIZE “WHOSE” WE REALLY ARE!
JESUS—HE IS THE WAY & THE TRUTH & THE LIFE!
JESUS—HE IS OUR EVERYTHING AT LIFE’S END & HE IS OUR EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN!
What We Are & What We Contain—ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS!