“The Rules of The Redeemed, of The Vessels Who Were Once Broken But Are Now Made Whole Through Him.”
One of the saddest parts about this month’s book Long Way Down was when Jason Reynolds wrote this about the rules:
ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULES
They weren’t meant to be broken.
They were meant for the broken
to follow.
When I was broken I knew no better. When I was blind I could not see. But by the grace of God, He mended me and made me whole. And from the mountain top where I stand with Him I see clearly now. For He who created me and formed me, He has redeemed me and called me. And The Lord is doing a new thing in me and it continues to spring forth, do not know it? Do you not see it? For the Lord even makes a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
And these are the RULES we now live by:
NO.4: BE HONORABLE
In our culture today that’s filled with hate, sarcasm, dishonor, tearing people down and division, we must have honor. Living honorably means treating everyone as if they are worthy of honor. Being a person of honor means not tearing down an destroying others, but speaking life into everyone and everything. Being an honorable man or woman means we choose to see the best in others, as the Creator saw in them when He created them in His likeness.Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other, (Romans 12:10). Be devoted to one another in love. Honor others above yourself. Lift up others and stay humble allowing God to lift and favor you, believing the Lord will do for me what I do for others.
NO.5 LEARN TO FORGIVE.
To forgive is to free yourself from the past. It is letting go. If you hold on to what was you will never be able to receive what God has for you next. Forgiveness sets us up for a better future. It does not change the past or make what was done you right, but it opens your life up again to receive all that the Lord has in store for you.Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you, (Ephesians 4:32). Forgive as He has forgiven you, again, forgiveness frees you.
NO. 6: DO NOT LIE.
You are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He’s always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character for he is a liar and the father of lies, (John 8:44). When the devil lies he speaks his native language. We never want to lie because we never want to speak the language of the enemy of your soul. We never want to talk, think, act or treat people like the devil does. Do all you Can to never lie and sound like the enemy. Never use your words to manipulate others. Never use your words as a weapon against others.The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth, (Proverbs 12:22). Always be impeccable with your words. Speak the truth in love, growing every way more and more like Christ, (Ephesians 4:15). Truthfulness is a sign of maturity and grown just as lying is a a sign of immaturity.The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions, (Proverbs 28:1). Lies rob us of our peace and confidence and one lie leads to another because you have to cover up the last one. While the truth is solid ground where we can take a stand a be bold as lions.
NO. 7: PRAY
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders to come pray over you, (James 5:13). Meditation is when we listen to God, prayer is when we talk to Him. Prayer releases healing, breaks addictions, brings us closer to God and heaven’s possibilities. It removes worry, in a word prayer is power. All of these RULES go from, “I want to live my life by them,” to “I am living my life by them,” through prayer. Through prayer you will be a person who loves, speaks only life, celebrates other’s successes, and honors everyone being changed from the inside out through prayer and having a relationship with the Spirit of God. Become a person of prayer. How? Just start each day when your fresh with prayer. Pray through the awkwardness, fumbling of words and through the not feeling it phase. Choose to become a prayer warrior and allow the Lord to not only work in your relationships but also to work in you! Pray and watch what God will do.