The Conflict Within

 We think and say we believe in Jesus, but we are anxious for tomorrow and cringe with fear in the face of the storm. We are Christians with various procedures and doctorines, and judging with anger, not only ourselves but all those around us, yet in our daily lives we seem to be the same, stumbling in the darkness and lost.
   Have we lost sight of Paul's teaching? The evidence shown by those who know the Father is this: love.  Not just any love, but the unique kind that loves enemies, not only those who show us love in return.  A love that is patient, showing no jealousy or arrogance, keeping no record of wrong, not seeking his own and not provoked by another's behavior. This is to love as Christ loves, submitting to each other without judgment.
   We call ourselves born again, baptized in water and the spirit. We are diligent in taking communion, singing in choir, serving in church, tithing, reading the Scriptures, gathering in Bible studies, going on missions.
 And yet rivers of love, joy and peace do not flow from us like living waters, and so, as Paul said, all of these profit us nothing.
 We all believe the Word of God without question, and that word is a person named Jesus, through an in whom all that was made exist.  When we say the word is living, active, sharper than any two edge sword,  we are talking about Jesus, who alone is the Word.
   What we believe is shown not by what we say or even think, but by how we live. To believe in Christ is to be and live in him. Thus few Christians seem to actually believe in Jesus. They only believe many things about Him.  Jesus made it clear, he was the only way to experience the Father and thus manifest true power and love in this life. Maybe our fixation with the next life has distracted us from following him in this life.
 Our journey is to find peace, love, joy, and all of the fruit of the Spirit, by truly believing in the identity of Christ and Christ in us each day.  You can't believe in Christ without also believing in who you are, one with and in Him. To believe in Him is to place your identity in Him.