Encouragement for Today (4/8/24)

Good day sister saints. 

I've been pondering how this life in Christ is one that saints put others over themselves, just as Christ did.  

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 
​Romans 3:22-26 

He didn't do it in fleshly love, He did it in truth, which is godly love.  The world / flesh thinks godly love is always kind and gentle (some of the fruits of the spirit) but let's not forget truth, which is the foundation, as Christ is the truth. (I posted some thoughts about this not long ago HERE.)
 Let's look at some cold hard truth....

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.   Matthew 10:34-36 

I'd like to add that 'foes', can also be those of the household of God, who were, or never were or were false brethren?  Christ's truth, the Word, divides even that family, in the hopes that the rebellious will repent to the saving of their souls. If we were to act in the flesh and continue to overlook sins, or after a time, feel bad and reach back to those who haven't repented, we would be preferring ourselves (wanting fleshly fellowship no matter what the cost) over preferring the soul of the one who needs to repent.  

We also prefer others (the world) by sacrificing our life, our desires, our comfort, our standing etc to the glory of God and saving of souls by standing on truth and preaching the gospel.

Who wants to be hated? 
Who wants to be lied about?
Who wants to be used?
Who wants to be looked down upon?
​Who wants to give up comforts and luxuries? 
Who wants to be alone?
Who wants to potentially die a gruesome death?  

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 
​Hebrews 11:24-26 

Those who walk in the spirit and rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer for Christ!

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.   Galatians 2:20 

We godly women have many ways we can prefer others over ourselves in serving (husbands, children, elderly, brethren), using our time to edify others, preaching the gospel to the lost, shining our light and standing for truth (in our actions, talk, dress, lifestyle) when it's rejected and hated and I'm sure you can think of many more.  

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 

By us decreasing, putting others before us, He is increased through our good works and obedience. 

Love to you all, in Christ,
​Sister Aman