“…and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” This is a portion of verse 19 where we’re being warned about the types of people who might pull us astray. And I think certainly, certainly – let’s check. Is there anyone who might be judging you or trying to disqualify you based on things that are just not the center issue? Don’t let them. You know Who’s you are? You know who your Father is? They don’t want to pick a fight with you, and here’s why…
Can we just read over those words once again from verse 19? Let them marinate and soak in our heart.
Holding fast to the Head. (our loving Father)
From whom the whole body. (us and all our brothers + sisters)
Is nourished. (we’re fed, taken care of, all our needs met)
And knit together. (inextricably)
Growing with a growth that is from God. (not our power, not our growing, not our work. good news!)
Yes, let no one disqualify you or judge you.
And walk forward in the beautiful knowledge and truth of what it is to be His today.
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I simply ask. ….. Please pray for my daughter Saretha in this area. She needs to know that she is loved and cherished in God's eyes and nothing else matters. Too many tears to say more.
Having grown up Catholic, these passages spoke straight to my heart – now free from the regulations and musts, complete not because of what I do or do not do but because he said "It is done" and I know He speaks truth.
I’m with Aubrey on this. I am tired of comparing myself, struggling to meet world standards when all I have to do is let Jesus’ view of me be sufficient. Why do I struggle so much with it? This post was a great reminder. I loved that Hannah posted the Message version. Sometimes it opens up a passage I find hard to wrap my head around (if I’m being really dense). Thank you God that I am enough if I am in Your Son.
Playing catch up here… But oh how timely this was… I was just thinking earlier how tired I am of other people, even those I don’t know, making me feel less than… So tired of feeling like I don’t measure up… I so need to grasp fully that the only one I need to care about what they think is the One who loves me just as I am…
I admit that I have my faults, but it doesn’t matter what others think or say about me. No one has lived my life or been through my trials and tribulations and as long as God walks with me its all worth it.
Verse 20 is a ‘fish slap’ to the face, if you know what I mean. I don’t know about anyone else but I am so dumb at times and so easily fall into submitting to the ‘rules’ of the World. I blink and I am fool owing worldly thinking.. Forgive me Lord and thank you that your grace is new every morning and you constantly pick me up, cover me with you love and say go once again…
I am enjoying She reads truth alot. God’s speaking alot of love and encouragement to me. Please pray for me I am going through a time where I am feeling pressure in just about every area in my life.
This is a fantastic message today! We are fulfilled by Christ alone! How rejuvenating!
This was exactly what I needed to hear. I can’t allow people’s judgements on me, ruin or corrupt the plan God has had for me since he created. Everyone else is a non-factoring element, God, my husband, and daughter are my priorities!
I just wanted to say what a blessing SheReadsTruth has been to me and my family. I am still working on reading and being the Word & of the Word daily, but this group has ignited a fire in me to chase after God. My husband and I have started doing devotionals w/our 2 year old and will start a devotional for ourselves. Thank you!!!
I love the way that this read in The Message. "Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are. They're completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us." Christ…He is our source of life. He is the one who matters. He is the one that we must not be in touch with. He is the one who we must allow to run our life.
I think I accidental hit dislike. I like how the message is worded.
Great reminder of not allowing to get caught up in what people are saying about you. But also a reminder to me not yo judge others. Remembering that when we do they are God's people also and in doing so we judge God.
I can so relate to this today. I've been having some issues of "not being good enough" in areas of family, and even at my work today. I needed the reminder that I get my approval from Christ, not man.
It is amazing how lost we really are sometimes and don't even know it. I had no idea how much I have been letting the world run my life with its expectations. I love how God brings be back to Him when I need it the most. I get lost, and he finds me. He is unfailing. His love is everlasting. My prayer for today is that we will not forget how the head is, and that as we go through the day we will make every effort to remain connected in all that we do. I pray that we will cast away the expectations of the world, because they are not realistic and they are not godly, and that we will cling to his truth and his love.
One message I took from this is surround yourself with positive, loving people who support you, love you, and believe you are a child of God. I often feel I should be nice and let myself be subjected to the emotional vampires – the people you sit down for coffee with and hear all their problems, or who tell your dreams are too big, are negative, and leave that negative energy everywhere they go. Lately, I have been more judicious on who I spend my free time with, and it has been really freeing.
I don't really remember ever reading this. It reminds me of an old neighbor friend who didn't disqualify *me* but almost tried to qualify herself into heaven on the basis of her adoration of angels. I know it sounds a bit off, and she was a completely marvelous woman, but she got lost in the bits that weren't the most important…I hope to keep my heart and mind focused on Christ our head, so that I don't become judgmental like that as well.
I loved this reading today. Not too long ago a few of my engineer friends were giving me the old "you can't argue with science" argument and weren't really letting me get through to them at all. I loved this passage in verse 19 reminding me that some people have lost connection with the head…they are submitting to this world's rules and standards, not God's. Physics may say one thing but physics is a worldly rule that I do not live by. I cannot let them try and bring me away from the truth that I know–I do not follow this world's standards.
I love verses 20-21 “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why as if you we’re living in the world, do you submit yourselves to decrees, such as ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’” I am so thankful for a church and this community where no strict regulations and false practices are added on to Christianity.
a little less than a year ago God spoke to me through a sister that God calls me beloved daughter and qualified. i had a rough night and this passage and reminder of that night really lifted my spirit. praise God.
I love the mention of community in this section, as well. I take away this thought: we grow best rooted in Christ, surrounded by others. It reminds me that our faith is not just a solitary pursuit. And I think it's exciting and encouraging how many communities God is forming in my life (both within my church that I love and online through my blog and communities like She Reads Truth). It just goes to show how serious He is about us being engaged in communities, as He works in us, stretches us, and causes us to grow.
The beauty and importance of community.
I like vs 20 " If with Christ you died to the elements of the spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations."
Be wary of false teachers and legalism (rituals do not get you to heaven, Jesus does). Great message.
I can't deny that I sometimes struggle with not being "good enough" in so many areas of my life, but this was exactly what I needed to hear. That I am MORE than enough, that I am doing everything I can do by the grace of God, because of God, and because of God working in me. That's it's not my power, not me growing, and not my work, but HIS power, HIS growing, and HIS work in me. That all of this will come to completion and fruition as I lead people to Him because of Him living within me. And realizing that I cannot be judged by standards of this world because the things that I am doing are not of the world. I may not be a pro-chef, the ultimate playdate/outing mommy, or have a gorgeously decorated/DIY home… but that's because I am taking the time the counts to spend with my kids and husband because the rest of my time is spent in homework, studying, and in other obligations so that I can step into the role is his building for me to help build his kingdom… and for the first time in a long time I am finally at ease and comfortable with that. I am more than enough because this is what it means to be His.
I can so relate to what you shared. It’s easy to focus on where we fall short, but I’ve found those unmet expectations are usually worldly rather than Godly. We are holy and blameless in Christ, and that is enough. Praying you are encouraged today!
Let there be no condemnation for those who belong to God. People judge so quickly but i will always remember going forward that ONLY God can judge me and He accepts me with my mess and all. Dont ever let anyone tell you that you are not good enough to be a child of God. You know what YOU are good enough. Jesus accepted Paul (Saul) with his past and Paul became a very important part of Christ's body. Jesus accepted all those who were cast out by people. So yes, Jesus accepts anybody who has given their heart to HIM just as they are, dont live in condemnation, and dont let anyone judge you or ever make you feel you are not good enough. Thank you Jesus for not condemning me and for accepting me just as i am when people dont. You are who matters!!
This.was.so.perfect for me today. Thank you for sharing. Today, I choose to remember- I am of HIS house. Hallelujah! :)
Wow what an awesome truth God holds us together. He made us and continues to live in us and work through us. Not only that, he provides all we needs. Forget what others might think or say. I want to thank God for his blessings today and every day and be inspired to show his love to all those around me. That is my prayer today!
I am so encouraged by this today! It has been a rough night. I am gonna hold fast to the Father and trust He is taking care of my every need. Yes. Yes. Yes.