Nougat 22

We recognize that overcoming the challenges of our past (and present) is not achievable in our own strength. We cannot be overwhelmed by that, for today’s Holy Nougat offers a way out.

“Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.” 1 Corinthians 6:11, 17 NLT

The Corinthian church was in trouble. Just like many churches in our time. A lot of it was about identity and image – how they lived in community as believers, settling disputes, shared gifts, and outworked the Faith; ie what it meant to be people of the way. Paul and company expanded on that by clarifying in respect of their lives pre-Christ. They spoke directly to what the wider world would’ve witnessed in the words and works of the Corinthian believers prior to conversion. The problem is, some hadn’t changed!

Ouch – that could describe many of us. Or as the nougat states it; some of us were once like that. But our spirituality and our Faith as believers doesn’t end with the past. It actually is more rooted in the present. Our current relationship with our Triune God. Thus, even if the voices of judgement are our own; having now become Clothed in the Righteousness of Christ, our outlook ought to shift. For, with Acceptance, Belief in and Confession of Jesus’ divinity, we become rooted in Righteousness – God’s forgiveness, mercy and blessings combined – BY WAY OF God’s Spirit. Yes; we cannot forget God’s Spirit, for it is through the work of God’s Spirit that we have life.

In Revelation 22:17, we’re introduced to a very curious turn of phrase. ‘The Spirit AND the bride say “Come.”’ Most of us agree with the concept of the Church, ie the body of believers, being the Bride of Christ. (This is somewhat related to God’s description of the Israelites during exile and is alluded to in the Nougat). The Revelation call, for me, is a clear indication of the union between God’s Spirit and our own upon conversion. Furthermore it reminds us that like God’s Spirit, we believers have a part to play in inviting others to ‘taste and see’ the glorious gift of God’s Grace in Christ Jesus. Us, the bride, in union with God’s Spirit becoming one with Jesus.

What a marvelous promise! And in some ways already coming to pass in our lives Faith. Do we dare engage God’s Spirit? We ought already be manifesting the Fruit.

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May all we seek be found in Christ