As I begin to write this, I don't know exactly the direction that this post will go. I've just been thinking a lot today about conviction and all of the lies that we so easily believe that cloud or destroy the conviction and leading of the Holy Spirit. As men and women who are more than conquerors, we should not be living defeated lives based on lies. What lies do we allow into our lives that detract from the fullness of life that Jesus Christ offers freely to us? It is my prayer that God would continue to reveal to me the areas of my life that are not surrendered to him.
Before I go any further I'd like to add this disclaimer: My focus is on running towards Jesus Christ. Forgetting what lies behind and pressing on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is the standard. He is the only one worthy and righteous. Even though we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, we need to continue to pursue the humble, obedient, surrendered lifestyle of Christ. To lower the standard and accept anything less from ourselves or our brothers and sisters, I dare say, is despicable in the eyes of our Lord and Savior.
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17
I've been wrestling recently with the balance of being intentional and just being happy to engage with Christians where they are at in life. When does a conversation that is on the dark side of the moon away from Christ stop being beneficial? Is there a point to cut anchor and move on to something that I know can be edifying for myself such as reading the Word or prayer? I don't think I've yet come to an acceptable position on this issue but I desire to engage with people in a loving way and yet not be quick to tolerate fruitless conversation. Regardless of the frequency of my own fruitless conversation, I see Christ as being intention always. I'm not saying that Jesus never joked and told fish stories with His disciples, but there was a purpose behind it all. Jesus was the most purposeful person who ever lived and I can say with confidence that I know He had a reason behind every conversation and every activity that He engaged in. That's the standard and that's where I'm headed by the grace of God.
So, to reference the above verse now, what do we do on a day-to-day basis that is just passing away along with the world? Is it fruitful to spend time watching movies or TV? Is it fruitful to spend hours in the gym? Is it fruitful to play video games? Now, I don't mean to say that these things cannot be used to glorify God and edify the Church, however, they do not do so by default. We can engage in these activities for selfish reasons and waste our time on things that are of some value or perhaps neutral at best. With that said, it is obvious to me that God has allowed man to be creative and inventive and has provided a beautiful world to explore. All I'm saying is let's be intentional with our time that He has measured out for us.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29,30
Look at the words of the God-man here. "Learn from me," Jesus says. Do we take that command seriously? To we conform it to what our pride wants us to believe? Do we really learn from Christ all of the things that He desires us to know? Jesus came so that we could have abundant life and yet how often do we dismiss His words as not applying to us? I know I do it. Oh, I know the Son of God says to do this, but it would be very uncomfortable for me to do that, so I won't. It's ok though. God won't mind that I'm completely disobeying Him. Well, obviously that is not true. Truthfully, God does care...A LOT.
At the end, the Heavens are pealed back and the earth and all of its deeds have no place left to go and hide. We stand naked before the God of the Universe without possibility of covering up a single disgraceful thing we did in this life. When I consider this, it makes me examine my heart and ask the question "what am I withholding from God?"
I don't even want to think about facing God with that kind of shame. What a disgrace if I didn't use every resource, every second of time, every opportunity to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ while on this earth! And the most awful thing about it is that I'm nowhere near saying that I am living that. Do we acknowledge how short we fall of living the way Christ commands us to live? Does it bring us to tears? How about repentance? As I grow closer to my Lord, I see the ugliness of my sin increasing. It hurts me deeply that I don't live fully for Christ when I acknowledge the truth that He is all that matters. It hurts more knowing that there are so many who don't even acknowledge His existence let alone profess Him as Lord.
So, to avoid this post ending in complete doom and gloom, I will close with some of the most precious words ever recorded. They point me back to Jesus and deepen the joy I have in Him.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4:15,16
There is no need to despair. Jesus knows because He suffered in this flesh as we are suffering. He is merciful towards us and graciously gives us the ability to persevere until the end when we take possession of our inheritance and rejoice forevermore that Christ has perfected our faith.
Before I go any further I'd like to add this disclaimer: My focus is on running towards Jesus Christ. Forgetting what lies behind and pressing on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is the standard. He is the only one worthy and righteous. Even though we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, we need to continue to pursue the humble, obedient, surrendered lifestyle of Christ. To lower the standard and accept anything less from ourselves or our brothers and sisters, I dare say, is despicable in the eyes of our Lord and Savior.
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17
I've been wrestling recently with the balance of being intentional and just being happy to engage with Christians where they are at in life. When does a conversation that is on the dark side of the moon away from Christ stop being beneficial? Is there a point to cut anchor and move on to something that I know can be edifying for myself such as reading the Word or prayer? I don't think I've yet come to an acceptable position on this issue but I desire to engage with people in a loving way and yet not be quick to tolerate fruitless conversation. Regardless of the frequency of my own fruitless conversation, I see Christ as being intention always. I'm not saying that Jesus never joked and told fish stories with His disciples, but there was a purpose behind it all. Jesus was the most purposeful person who ever lived and I can say with confidence that I know He had a reason behind every conversation and every activity that He engaged in. That's the standard and that's where I'm headed by the grace of God.
So, to reference the above verse now, what do we do on a day-to-day basis that is just passing away along with the world? Is it fruitful to spend time watching movies or TV? Is it fruitful to spend hours in the gym? Is it fruitful to play video games? Now, I don't mean to say that these things cannot be used to glorify God and edify the Church, however, they do not do so by default. We can engage in these activities for selfish reasons and waste our time on things that are of some value or perhaps neutral at best. With that said, it is obvious to me that God has allowed man to be creative and inventive and has provided a beautiful world to explore. All I'm saying is let's be intentional with our time that He has measured out for us.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29,30
Look at the words of the God-man here. "Learn from me," Jesus says. Do we take that command seriously? To we conform it to what our pride wants us to believe? Do we really learn from Christ all of the things that He desires us to know? Jesus came so that we could have abundant life and yet how often do we dismiss His words as not applying to us? I know I do it. Oh, I know the Son of God says to do this, but it would be very uncomfortable for me to do that, so I won't. It's ok though. God won't mind that I'm completely disobeying Him. Well, obviously that is not true. Truthfully, God does care...A LOT.
At the end, the Heavens are pealed back and the earth and all of its deeds have no place left to go and hide. We stand naked before the God of the Universe without possibility of covering up a single disgraceful thing we did in this life. When I consider this, it makes me examine my heart and ask the question "what am I withholding from God?"
I don't even want to think about facing God with that kind of shame. What a disgrace if I didn't use every resource, every second of time, every opportunity to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ while on this earth! And the most awful thing about it is that I'm nowhere near saying that I am living that. Do we acknowledge how short we fall of living the way Christ commands us to live? Does it bring us to tears? How about repentance? As I grow closer to my Lord, I see the ugliness of my sin increasing. It hurts me deeply that I don't live fully for Christ when I acknowledge the truth that He is all that matters. It hurts more knowing that there are so many who don't even acknowledge His existence let alone profess Him as Lord.
So, to avoid this post ending in complete doom and gloom, I will close with some of the most precious words ever recorded. They point me back to Jesus and deepen the joy I have in Him.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4:15,16
There is no need to despair. Jesus knows because He suffered in this flesh as we are suffering. He is merciful towards us and graciously gives us the ability to persevere until the end when we take possession of our inheritance and rejoice forevermore that Christ has perfected our faith.
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