God Made
(9-12-04)
Heb.13:20-21
20
Now may the God of peace who brought
up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21
make you complete in every good work to do
His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever
and ever. Amen.
Are you willing? What God is looking for as he searches through
the hearts and minds of the people of the world is willingness. Humble submission to His will and His hands. When Jesus walked
out on the shores of the Galilean lake and called for men to become His Apostles he called men whose hearts would submit.
(Mk.1:16-20)
Two of these men, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, where
mending their nets. It is this same word that is voiced in prayer for the recipients of the letter to the Hebrews. May the God of Peace, the same God who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
may that God make us complete for the work he has called us to. Amen
God is still wanting men and woman, boys and girls from every
walk of life to have a heart and mind that is willing to submit to His mending and restoring hand. Life in this fallen and
cursed world damages its inhabitants. All of us have been and are damaged by what goes on around us. This is what Paul is
concerned about when he tells the Christians in Galatia: “if
a person is overtaken in a sin, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentilness…”
We all have been caught up in things that by the time we
get to the other side of the experience we have no idea how much we have been damaged by what we have just survived. We need
(ed) fix-in. Every day we struggle against things that have the ability to destroy us. Just our daily battles wounds us. Like
the fishing net that is used regularly (for that is why it was made) it needs regular fixing and mending.
The Corinthian
Church was in that need of mending. (see 1Cor.1:10-13 “that you be perfectly
joined together..”)
They had troubles
in abundance. They were caught up in what is proved to be sinful discord. They needed mending from the damage. They needed
to be knit back together so they could accomplish what they were designed to be, the body of Christ. (Do we need mending?)
Paul understood what they needed and called for them to be
willing to submit to God’s hand in being mended. Paul labored over the Thessalonian
Church because they also were in need. (1Thes.3:9-10) They needed repairs in their
faith. (Jesus, does our faith need a face to face encounter with a faith mender? If so, would you please send one, and that
right soon!)
Peter writes to the scattered church about their need as
well. (1Pet.5:8-11 10) Peter prays
assuredly – and God will mend, fix, repair, make perfect what has been damaged and so much more. He will also strengthen
and make the foundation firm and sure. “to Him be the glory and dominion for ever and ever” Amen!
The end result of what we
each seek after is to be like Jesus to the praise and glory of God, our
Father. Lk.6:40 Jesus says that the disciple who is trained to the full will be like their teacher. Teach us Lord! Mend us
Lord! Makes us better and better day by day Lord.
