THE COMPLETE LIFE

(Friday) 13 June 2014 ~ Daily Devotional of Pastor Wayne M. Bass

THE COMPLETE LIFE

Although we disciples of Jesus Christ (past and present) encounter the full gamut of challenges and issues that comprise the human condition and experience, we have one overarching and abiding hope.  It is the declaration of the Apostle Paul that “[believers] are complete in him [Christ], who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:10, NKJV)  That is, despite obstacles, oppositions, or appearances, we now stand complete in him.

My life-verse (Philippians 1:6) offers the blessed assurance that GOD will certainly complete what He has started.  “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV)

During Christ’s years of earthly ministry, He proclaimed numerous beatitudes (blessed sayings) that apply to the people of God.  The best known of these beatitudes are recorded in Matthew, chapter five, but there are also three other blessed sayings that are equally powerful and spiritually endowed by The Anointed One.  All of Christ’s beatitudes are recorded below.

Matthew 5:1-12 (NKJV)

¹ And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 

² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

³ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵ blessed are the meek, FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.

⁶ bLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.

⁷ BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY.

⁸ BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOOD.

⁹ bLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD.

¹⁰ BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

¹¹ Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 11:6 (NKJV)

⁶ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Matthew 13:16-17 (NKJV)

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 

¹⁷ For assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

John 20:29 (NKJV)

²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Similar to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24), these Christ-endowed blessings are not given to believers in a piecemeal manner.  Rather, they come in one package, i.e. the new birth. (II Corinthians 5:17)  Indeed, they are our legacy, our heritage, our fundamental right, as we operate in the role of believers, living in responsibility, under Christ’s rule and reign. 

You may not presently discern ALL of these blessings in your present condition, but it is imperative that you allow HIM the requisite time and opportunity to manifest your completion.  In eternity, it is already accomplished fact.  We remain connected to Christ and await a full manifestation in time.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!