The Greatest Comeback of all Time!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” [1]

To our heart: “Be joyful in hope!”
To our situation: “Patient in affliction.”
To our faith: “Pray” – rely on God.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” [2]

Human tendency during a crisis is to abandon authorities, but Scripture urges us to be subject to them. Be obedient. Do what is good. Be a part of the solution not the problem. Don’t succumb to slandering. Intensify peace-making. Increase consideration for one another. Choose gentleness not harshness.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” [3]

Listen to Christ. Promote believer health and unity. Consider the million reasons we have to be grateful to God.

Jesus prayed that we would all be one so that the world would know we are His disciples. [4] Our unity in Christ and in His teaching is a divine miracle. It happens divinely, not naturally. Let us pray with Jesus... “Yes, Lord, make us one, make us one in You.” The witness of our working together validates the value of faith in Christ to our community.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the greatest comeback story of all time. Paul wrote, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” [5] Serious setbacks are opportunities for great comebacks. But like, Paul, we rest in the comeback power of Christ not in our own.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” [6]

Yes, let’s keep our focus on justifying who God is and what He does! Let us promote Christ’s glory! As one song says, “The Resurrected One is resurrecting me.” He is!

[1] Romans 12:12
[2] Titus 3:1-2
[3] Colossians 3:15
[4] John 17:23
[5] Philippians 3:10
[6] Ephesians 3:20-21