1 Corinthians 11:15 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

We are the body of Christ, each members in particular, separate but fitted jointly together to function in unison. It is important to know who you are in Christ in order to do your part.

1 Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

What we must understand apart from our place is that none of us is the blood. The blood flows to each and every part to bring nourishment. Even the heart which distributes the blood is fed by the blood.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

That part is given to us all and is not from us but rather God. His love strengthens us, nourishes us, encourages us, emboldens us, and binds us together in unity of mind, will, and spirit. That love is more than our motivation, it is our animation.

Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

If the Lord is moved, we are moved.

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

I posted my blog first things this morning. Then I posted notice and a link to it for my friends on Facebook. As I did I could see what my friends had to say and I had a negative thought about what they were doing. I shrugged it off thinking “It takes all types in the body of Christ to reach as many of the lost as possible.” Then I went to the Biblegateway to start my daily studies. This was the verse of the day.

Forbearance, ouch, there was my daily reminder smacking me in my thoughts if not my actions. I had not written anything negative, but I thought it. Please do not let me off the hook by telling me I did nothing wrong or that I am being too hard on myself. The Lord says “You can do better Larry!”

Paying attention to those little daily reminders is what brought me out of that nightmare of a life I was living into the blessed assurance I live in now. I am not perfect, but I have come a long way. I give praise and glory to God that He has encouraged me daily. We are a busy people with so many things to do and so many responsibilities. If we do not heed the daily reminders, we make slower progress in Kingdom growth.

I have been hard headed in the past but that is changing slowly. It isn’t something to be taken lightly because the mind is an independent agent. My heart is right towards God. My mind is coming along slowly. Agreeing with God is paramount in our daily salvation and that is a mental process. We have to choose to agree with God as a love response.

So is forbearance.