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Cardboard Boxes




Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

When I was a little girl I loved to play in cardboard boxes, sometimes people like to contain their faith like kids contain themselves in a box. We have to remember that God cannot be contained nor can our faith. We as Christian's are to pick up our cross and follow Christ so if we have contained ourselves
or allowed others to do it how are we following him? How can we do His will?

I have seen several on social media that have displayed these characteristics it is a containment that is growing among believers. They try to pull you into their little cardboard box  because they are using God to try and control you. Mostly it is because they think they are the only true follower of the Word of God. This is dangerous and it can steer baby Christians that are not grounded in the word two ways they will turn on God or they will allow themselves to be confined. I cannot imagine which one is worse.

I am asking all of you to take a moment as you go into the new year and think about your Christian life what you need to work on, and what needs to be changed, and who in your life that is containing you this is so imperative. Because sometimes it is not the words we say or scripture we recite it is the actions of our lives that influence others. Does it reflect scripture? Does it reflect Christ in any way? Did we rebuke someone with a stiff finger or did we show compassion and grace like our Father has shown us? Sometimes we confine ourselves when we are supposed to be running free like the saved children we are. Sadly other times we lash out because a fellow believer has frustrated us. Or we have allowed others to contain us. Maybe you have lashed out when it was undeserved because you are so caught up in your mission for God that you have forgotten you have run too far ahead of him.

I have seen a great deal of this on social media I have been hurt more by fellow believers than I have by non-believers. It is a kind of hurt that saddens you because you expect a believer to know better.  Do not get me wrong I know we all make mistakes and I can tell you Christ has enabled me to forgive people that I thought I would never be able to forgive. But when someone can quote scripture and place it out there for the whole world to see and then their actions speak a completely different volume? Makes you question are they running free, trying to contain others, or serving only themselves thinking they are honestly serving God?  God will place them in his own cardboard box till they learn obedience, until then test every believer that what they are stating does not contradict with the verses below.

Ephesians 4:29-32(NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

May the Grace and Peace of Yeshua be with you all!
© Shannon Wendler


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