21 JUNE 2017 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Bodyof Christ News JULY 2017 VOLUME 28, ISSUE 11 COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS & PUEBLO: CONTACT PM WYNN FOR AD INFO – PMWYNN9@MSN.COM God's Way Up Is Really Down As a Believer have you ever felt like; “Lord I'm try- ing to live right and treat each other with respect, follow your commandments and obey your will. Why am I having such a hard time! Of all the virtues Christ commended in the Beatitudes, it is significant that the first is humility, being “poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3) That underlies all the others. You can't mourn (Matt 5:4) without appreciating how insufficient you are to handle life in your own strength. That's is humility. You can't be meek (Matt.5:5) unless you have needed gentleness yourself. Knowing that need is humility. You can't hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6) if you proudly think of yourself as already righ- teous. Longing to fill that spiritual appetite demands humility. In a parable that Luke once recorded, “a humble tax collector prayed, God be merciful to me a sinner!” He went away justified, unlike a proud Pharisee who boasted of his righteousness (Luke 18:13) You can't be merciful (Matt 5:7) without recogniz- ing your own need for mercy. Jesus said that it's the person who is forgiven much that loves much (Luke 7:47). To confess your sins and ask God and others for forgiveness takes humility. You can't be pure in heart (Matt. 5:8) if your heart is filled with pride. God promises to exalt the hum- ble, not the proud (James 4:10). You can't be a peace maker (Matt. 5:9) if you believe that you are always right. (can I get a “AMEN” here) To admit your own faults takes humility. Peace will come about when both war- ring parties move toward each other. Finally, identifying with Christ no mat- ter what the reaction of others (Matt. 5:10-12) demands a certain death to yourself and a renunciation of your own rights. Standing up under persecution demands Christlike humility. What has your faith cost you? A promo- tion or some other career opportunity? What about criticism or ostracism by co workers or family? Sooner or later following Christ has a cost, and those who think they can get by without paying it are sadly mistaken. In fact, if there's no cost, is there really any genuine commitment? Jesus words suggest not. Like Jesus (John 1:14) we are called to be people of grace and truth, not obnoxious and rude. True per- secution involves unmerited hostility for doing good works in the pattern of Christ (1 Peter 2:12-21) So as long as we live as God's people on this earth, we can expect a connection between trouble and hope. That connection is never pleas- ant, but our troubles can bring about lasting ben- efits; Jesus told us that if we want to follow Him we must deny ourselves and take up a cross. If we try to save our lives, we will only lose them. But if we lose our lives for His sake, we will find them. (Matt. 16:24-25). James encourage us to rejoice in our various trials, because as they test our faith, they produce patience, which ulti- mately makes us mature in Christ (James 1:2-4). Peter knew by personal experience the kind of pressure that can cause one's allegiance to Christ to waiver. He warned us that “fiery trials” are nothing strange, but that they actually allow us to experi- ence something of Christ's sufferings so that we can ultimately experience something of His glory, too (1 Pet. 4:12-13). Fortunately, God lends us help to prevent us from falling back. As Hebrews also says, He disciplines us for our good. His stern efforts can feel harsh, but they are the loving protection of a caring Father. (Matt. 12: 3-11). By Dr. PM Wynn Grove Rev. Dr. PM Wynn Grove and her husband Pastor Lee Grove are Associate Pastors at the Potters House of Denver. They are the Founders of Heavenly Sent Ministries. Dr. Grove can be reached at pmwynn9@msn.com