GRACE TO STAND PERFECT AND COMPLETE IN CHRIST JESUS
Epaphras, a servant of Christ who is one of you, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Col 4:12).
You are welcome you to July, I pray for you and your family that it will be a time to rediscover the perfecting presence of God and His grace.
The scripture tells us that we have been given the grace to stand perfect and complete in Jesus Christ. This is the direction in which the Holy Spirit is leading us in July and beyond. It is by faith in Jesus that we have gained access to this grace in which we stand (Romans 5:2). As we have received faith by applying ourselves to His word and prayer, let me admonish you to stand in His grace in the days and weeks ahead so that we can be perfect in Christ and journey into spiritual maturity as He tells us to.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Mathew 5:48). This is what the Lord is calling us to this month: to pursue a Christian standing that can only be achieved by the grace of God. Therefore, if there is anything to seek this month, it is the grace that makes us stand, and that completes whatever may be lacking in our walk with Christ. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, it is only by this grace that we are best equipped to serve God acceptably, doing all His will.
My challenge to you is to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. He will surely exalt you in due time to that place of completion. I am sure you remember that God resists the proud. It is, therefore, a season to humble ourselves and seek the Lord in prayer; it should be a time of humility, as we say no to familiarity with God and truly experience Him anew. The express instruction to many this season is to humble ourselves, forsake our human strengths, and return to God and the word of His grace. That way, we are built up and are made by the Holy Spirit to stand firm and perfect in Him. Please do not hold back from Him and do not rely on your abilities, achievements, and accolades.
Like Epaphras, I will be praying for you, but please go ahead this month and humble yourself that you may receive grace to stand complete in all the will of God. God bless you!