Ready by Relationship

We shouldn’t need to “rise to the occasion” but rather step in and do what we have trained to do (i.e. “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; criticize, rebuke, and encourage, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

Being ready to “speak graciously, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6)

Are we prepared for this? Are we in such relation with Christ that we are ready AND willing to step in and do the work he is ready and willing to give us? The Creator of the Universe wants to use you and I to communicate his goodness to all people and see them set free from the bondage of sin. (Yea, that’s Brad Pitt x Infinity on the awesomeness scale). In fact, he has set up a system in which it may be the only way for others to see His mystery revealed. This being through the transformation of us who were once defined by our sin, but are now set on a path of insight to see sin for what it truly is; bondage and slavery. Therefore, we have salvation; the recognition of the brokenness and slavery within sin and Christ providing the means by which to live in its bondage no more.

The wisdom and insight provided by the Spirit and through scripture has given us the opportunity to taste the presence of God in this life; here and now. The more we can turn from sin, the more we can taste the original goodness in all things that once were in the beginning and that will be in eternity with Christ.

So how do we get prepared to live out the 2 verses above? Our preparedness comes through the pursuit of Christ. The more we pursue a relationship with Christ, the more freedom we have from the bondage of sin; the more freedom we have, the more goodness we taste; the more goodness we taste, the more joy we have about that goodness; the more joy we have, the more we feel compelled to share that goodness and joy with others that they too may be released from the bondage of their sin; the more we share with others, the more people come to Christ and share in His goodness; escaping the hell in the present as well as the hell to come (i.e. the eternal absence of the presence of God where no goodness could ever exist). 

So when are we ready?  We are ready when we are in relationship.

(And Yes, God does like long, hand-in-hand strolls in the woods)