Pay attention to our condition

As an avid sports follower, last week was the pinnacle of the Super Rugby Pacific championship with the final between the Chiefs and Crusaders played in Hamilton. What a match played by amazing athletes at the top of their game. While I supported the Chiefs, who were on top of the table leading to the final, I was in awe of the Crusaders winning the match. They were simply the best. There are a few take aways for me from the match to consider in my Christian walk. First the conditions of the athletes and secondly winning the game.

As a Christian we are to pay attention to our condition (wellbeing) in the Lord.

Jesus, before leaving His disciples, commanded them to go to Jerusalem and wait for a helper to help them with their wellbeing as His followers. One such condition was working together in unity. Jesus prayed for His disciples to work in unity when He had gone. He demonstrated  in a foot washing ceremony (John 13:4-5), an attitude of serving one other for the purpose of unity. As His disciples we are to ‘keep in unity’ with one another as a condition of His church.

Jesus promises the Holy Spirt will help us with our attitude towards God and each other. We need to be right with each other to be His witnesses in the world. The Holy Spirit helps us to outwork His commandment to love one another, and to overcome the hostile environment we face because we are followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will make what seems impossible to us possible  through Jesus’ work in us. How wonderful that Jesus understands our human condition and provides us with a helper in order to be overcomers.

Winning for the Christian is the promise of life. John 3:16. Talking to His disciples in His last week on earth Jesus says: “My children, I will be with you only a little longer and where I am going, you cannot come now (John 13:33), but you will follow later ( John 13:36).
Hope and Faith is alive in Jesus with the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Here are a few scriptures to ponder on this week
“Love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34), by this everyone will know that you are my disciples” (John13:35),

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God and believe also in me (John 14:1).

“I go and prepare a place for you (14:3)

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelations 22:12-13)