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BECOMING MORE EFFECTIVE
PHILEMON 6 NKJ
6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Today if you read these twenty-five verses, you can tell people you read an entire book of the Bible. They may be impressed, but I wouldn't count on it.
Here is a simple way to become more effective in your faith. The principle itself is quite easy to grasp. As with most things, the challenge is in the execution.
Acknowledge the good things that are in you because of your faith in Christ. We have spent the month of May reading some of Paul's most informative letters. Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians reveal some marvelous 'in Him' truths. These are the things that have been done in us because we are in Christ. But it's not enough to read this or even know this. To be more effective, we need to acknowledge this.
Too often, we are quick to acknowledge our faults, failures, and weak areas. We need humility, yes, but too often people 'camp out' on the negatives.
What will build our faith and make us more effective is to acknowledge what God's grace has done for us in Christ. Pastor John Osteen, my pastor for years, used to have us say, "This is my Bible. I am what it says I am." This is where we need to stay. This is the place of joy, peace, and effectiveness.
APPLICATION
It would be good to have some verses written down that you can go over on a regular basis. I have gone back to this practice. Verses that tell you who you are in Christ - a new creation, blessed, forgiven, enlightened, accepted. All because of Jesus, but it belongs to you. And as you acknowledge these spiritual facts, you'll become stronger in your faith. And as your faith gets stronger, you'll be more effective in life.
PRAYER
Thank you, Father, for all the good things in me in Christ. In Christ, the good in me far outweighs the bad of my past and the weaknesses of my present. Good things are in me, and good things are coming my way.