Chris-Chat
First Things First
God’s first desire is to have relationship with us. That is the main purpose of salvation. Avoiding eternal damnation is great, but that is just a perk compared to God’s real desire. I think it’s hard for some people to comprehend this because, hey, we know us, and quite frankly – we don’t like what we see. So, it’s hard to believe that God would love unconditionally.
For years, I spent time in self-condemnation. This is nothing but pride; it is self-focus, that is, seeing oneself by a self-imposed standard of righteousness. I wanted to please God so much – and beat myself up internally when I missed the mark. Then, one day someone gave me 1 John 3:20, “(19…we can reassure our hearts in His presence) 20 …whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God’s hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him].” AMP
The King James says, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” This was tremendous! He is greater than our self torment. We do not have to live that way. God made provision for all of us to be delivered from tormenting thoughts. Those strongholds are broken because He wants to set us free to enjoy relationship with Him. Eph. 2:10, “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]”
Now – if God does not condemn us, we have no need to condemn ourselves – and furthermore, we can believe and know – and live according to the real life that we were called to live: His own creative handiwork, recreated in righteousness. This was not a last minute after-thought; He planned for us to live a life full of purpose. A life in direct relationship with God the Father, through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit; this is His perfected plan from the very beginning.
~ CD
Wages or Gift
This morning I was thinking about the scripture, The wages of sin is death …. I saw that these wages are what people bring on themselves, they are actually getting paid for what they do. Just think, there is minimum wage, then people get raises for staying at their job, and bonuses too. Sin has a wage, and that is death…. with interest. This is not God, as they assume, but rather people have been given complete control of their will to earn whatever wage they want. I am speaking of Christian people. I continued my thought as the Lord showed me my own reasoning.
Sometimes I do things that cause me to think, Well, I deserve that for what I did or said. (Usually my big mouth). Sowing and reaping , right? Then the Lord said, But the gift of God is eternal life. Then He showed me Jesus earning my wages on the cross. Like Peter, we say, “Oh no Lord, You shall not wash my feet.” I can sit and absorb the wage in some kind of martyrdom, but that only frustrates the Grace of God. Or I can open the gift and apply that great Grace, not getting what wage I deserve, not feeling like I am crucifying Jesus anew, but by accepting what He has given out of a free-will.
Now, a gift is not a gift if it is given out of obligation, but rather given for the sake of “just because I love you”. Accepting the gift, His Grace, is to receive His love. That draws me deeper into His presence. That glorifies Him to no end. Glory be to God!
~ CD
Let the Dead Bury the Dead
Luke 9: 59-60 “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”
At first glance, Jesus’ comment to this disciple seems uncaring and callous to those dealing with a death in the family. But the Lord never said anything without purpose. He always exposed the attitude of the heart. A look into Jewish burial custom reveals that when one died they were buried as soon as possible in a simple fashion. If this man’s father had already passed away, he would have been busy with funeral arrangements at that moment. The Amplified bible reads, “permit me first to go and bury (await the death of) my father.” So then, what was Jesus exposing? Jesus had personally called this man into ministry. What an offer! However, this man was more concerned with earthly cultural matters than preaching the kingdom of God. Jesus exposed that this man’s treasure was on this earth not on the true riches. I believe that this man was waiting for the blessing of his earthly father, to get the traditional material things, then after his father’s death he could freely follow Jesus. Leaving to preach the kingdom of God would mean that he believed Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, and that could cost him the family blessing. Would he be disowned as a son for not following Jewish family tradition in exchange for becoming a disciple of Jesus who was a controversial figure of His day? Rejection from a culture is no small decision. Scripture doesn’t reveal what this man decided, but the Word (Jesus) always divides …soul and spirit,…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)
We must make the choice as to if we are truly willing to forsake all to follow Christ. He’s worth it!
~ CD