“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be
condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to
you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put
into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:37-38).
The truth that sets Christianity apart from
other religions is the mystery of Christ dwelling in the born again believer… “To
them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the
glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians
1:27). When we receive Jesus Christ we become a repository of His very
nature, and He is the exact representation of God… “For in him all the
fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19). This
mysterious indwelling of the believer by Christ is accomplished by the Spirit
of Christ taking up residence in our hearts… “And because you are sons,
God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians
4:6). In today’s discourse Jesus teaches that evidence of maturing
discipleship is an increasing abundance and overflowing of His mercy,
forgiveness, and benevolence. Jesus Christ’s earnest desire is that the world
will be won through His disciples’ reflection of the overflowing abundance
of God’s love.
Genuine disciples have been delivered from God’s judgment and condemnation. In
the place of the punishment we deserve for our sin God has extended His mercy
toward us… “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and
abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). The result is the removal
of judgment and condemnation between us and our Father… “There is
therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans
8:1). We are now free from guilt and free to approach and enjoy fellowship
with God… “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been
brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Genuine
disciples want this same freedom and fellowship for others, so we are eager to
be merciful in order to show them God’s mercy… “Be merciful, even as your
Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Evidence of the indwelling presence of
Christ is overflowing mercy that attracts others to Christ.
Grateful disciples have been forgiven for their sins. Truly born again
disciples remember their former separation from God because of sin… “Your
iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have
hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). We know
that the fellowship we enjoy with Him now is because of God’s mercy. He did not
give us the punishment we deserve, but He chose to forgive us instead… “He
does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our
iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). Grateful disciples are increasingly
thankful that God has removed our sin from His sight… “As far as the east
is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm
103:12). Grateful disciples don’t want sin to keep us separated from those
Christ died to forgive, so we are quick to forgive others… “As the Lord
has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13). Evidence
of the indwelling presence of Christ is overflowing forgiveness that leads
others to Christ.
Generous disciples have received an abundant life in Christ. When we are saved
we begin a whole new life in Christ… “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians
5:17). Jesus promises this new life is an abundant life… “I came that
they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). As our selfish
desires give way to His kingdom priorities, we learn to trust Christ to meet
every need… “My God will supply every need of yours according to his
riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). But the Lord’s
abundant blessing does not stop with us. The indwelling presence and power of
Christ will overflow from the hearts of generous disciples and He will empower
us to be generous toward others… “You will be enriched in every way to be
generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2
Corinthians 9:11). Evidence of the indwelling presence of Christ is
overflowing generosity that gives glory to Christ.
As we grow up into Christ maturing
disciples are increasingly filled with…
The Overflowing Abundance of God’s Love.
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