Pastor Dr. Abraham Obadare2 Cor. 4:8-11
Yes, we are Christians. We love the Lord and anticipate His return one day. However, we remain real people, with flesh and blood, who experience the same things that all other people experience on daily basis. Our focal point then is, how we can continuously experience Jesus daily, regardless of whatever the day brings. How does the life of Jesus become manifested in us when we are dealt with lockdowns, fear, hardship and in some cases death from the hands of Coronavirus? How does one manifest the life of Jesus when a loved one dies? Let’s even make it lighter: say you boarded a bus, train, or aircraft full of people, and your body really needed a rest or you planned to finish a school or work project, but some passengers decided to chat loudly and some children started to cry. Now you are not able to concentrate and are getting angry on the inside? How do you experience patience and self-control in such situation? How does the life of Christ become manifested in our daily experiences as human beings? In the world full of fear, troubles, … even death, how do we experience Christ daily? Apostle Paul mentioned some of his own in 2 Cor. 4:8-11.
How does one experience Jesus daily?
● Through living by faith daily (Rom. 1:17 says, “… the just shall live by faith”). This faith says that God exists in all that we do (Heb. 11:6 says, “… God is the rewarded of those who diligently seek Him”). Faith recognizes God in the place where one is and in the situation which one is faces at all given times. Remember how Paul said that the life he now lived was through Jesus Christ (Gal. 2:20)? This is exactly what one would experience daily in a relationship with Jesus. This is a lifestyle of total dependence upon Jesus, just as a child depends upon and totally relies upon his mother for everything. I would say that a child’s total reliance on his mother for everything is a perfect example of acknowledging Christ in all our ways. This is what it means to “trust in the Lord with all your heart …” – Prov. 3:5-7
● We learn to wait on Him in prayers (Luke 24:49). In Psalm 63:1, David said he would seek the Lord early in the morning. Further, in Psalm 145:2 he said he would bless God every day. We should start and finish our day talking with Jesus, by so doing, we are experiencing Him.
- We let His teachings become a part of your daily guide for actions and decision making – Ps. 119:105
- Through doing the word. For instance, when you are showing mercy, you are experiencing Jesus. He said you are blessed when you show mercy, for you too shall receive mercy (Matt. 5:7)
● We experience the peace, love and way of Christ through the conversations and dealings that we have with other brethren – in the course of the day – who are connected with God.
● We check our daily routine and make sure that we stay within our call, in order to avoid “catching nothing” (John 21:3). Are you in the right place?
● We look for Jesus and be truthful with Him when things are not working out (John 21:4-6), as it reminds us that we are nothing without Him.
● Prefer Jesus better than anything or anyone else in the course of the day (John 21:15; 2 Tim. 3:1-4).
● Show love to God’s children (“Feed my sheep – John 21:15-17) – a process which demands serving others.
You will begin to experience His love and grow more towards Him, remolding you one day at a time. As you go through your day, the joy of experiencing Him gives you strength.
