I was reading about the mission of Jesus Christ in Luke 4:18,19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Jesus spoke these words in a synagogue in Nazareth, a place where he was brought up. These scriptures caught my eye because in just a couple of sentences it explained that Jesus Christ's mission while on Earth was to bring hope to all who had none.
Jesus said he is to proclaim good news to the poor. Jesus Christ gave hope to those who were in need both materially and spiritually. He taught his disciples to be charitable. 1 John 3:17,18 "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." Jesus had these comforting words to say to all those poor souls who were troubled and worried. Mathew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
The poor have a quality that God highly admires. they are humble and receptive to his instruction. James 4:6 "....Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." That is why Jesus said in Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Those who are poor are looking to God for their help, their hope and salvation; and God has answered them through his son Jesus Christ.
Jesus said he was sent to proclaim liberty to the captives. Before Christ we had no redemption, we were captives to our sin. Because we were captives to our sin that made us captives to death as well. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death,..." Jesus Christ paid for our sins by his death upon the cross. We were prisoners without hope for escape but he set us free and brought us hope for an eternal life in God's kingdom. Romans 6:22 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life." Romans 6:6-8 "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."
Jesus said he was sent to give sight to the blind. Luke 7:22 "And he answered them, "Go and tell what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the good news preached to them." Jesus Christ not only made the physically blind to see but also the spiritually blind to see as well. John 8:12 "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Jesus said he was to set at liberty those who are oppressed. Acts 10:38 "....He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him."
Jesus Christ done what his Father asked him to do. He proclaim the good news to the poor, liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind. He set at liberty those who are oppressed. He gave hope to those who had none. Jesus Christ freed us from sin and death and gave us hope to a eternal life in his Father's kingdom. It is good to know why Jesus Christ came to us. He came to gives us salvation and hope, a way to get back into paradise and God's favor. Through his words and sacrifice we are all given a hope for a better life in a better world.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
From My Nothingness, I am still Something
Today, I was thinking about my losses and failures throughout my life. Working hard to build something only to see it crumble to dust. Working hard to have good health only to be brought down by an illness. I somethings feel like I am working hard and not getting anywhere at all. But a curious thing happens during those hard times in my life, my faith grows and I feel closer to God than in the times when I have everything that I need. When I feel that I am nothing, something deep down inside me tells me I am still something.
When I feel that everything has been stripped away from me, I still have one thing in my life, my faith. It never leaves me. It has been weaken on some occasions but it has never left me completely. It is like having the voice of God within you, telling you everything will be alright. The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10 "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. for when I am weak, then I am strong."
In my humility, my nothingness, I am stronger in my faith. I think sometimes this is why calamities happen in life to bring us back to God. I found that most people who believe that they have nothing, pray more and relied more on God's help. If the God of love saw his people with sin and abundance and not having one coin in heaven, would he not do something about that? He would not stand by and let them be asleep in sin and death. He would try to awaken them to their life's condition. Showing them there is more to life than having pride in one's material possessions. Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
1 Timothy 6:7 "for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." If we cannot take anything out of this world when we die, then what do we take with us? The answer is our inner self, our spirit. Matthew 12:36,37 "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." We will all stand before God and be judged by not what we have but who we are on the inside. When I feel like I have nothing it makes me take a good hard look at myself to who I am. I have come to realize in these bad times in my life that who I really am is a child of God and I cannot be anything else. Trying to be something that I am not only brings me much emotional pain and trouble.
From my nothingness, I am still something. The person, God created me to be. My inner self glorifies God and longs to be with him in his kingdom. This thinking maybe worthless to the world but it is everything to me. My core being, when in need it cries out to our Father in heaven. This is the truth, with him I feel complete without him I feel lost. Why, because I am his creation and my body, mind and spirit knows somehow this is true. When I am feeling that I am nothing, I can still feel the spirit of God standing beside me telling me I am still something. Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
When I feel that everything has been stripped away from me, I still have one thing in my life, my faith. It never leaves me. It has been weaken on some occasions but it has never left me completely. It is like having the voice of God within you, telling you everything will be alright. The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10 "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. for when I am weak, then I am strong."
In my humility, my nothingness, I am stronger in my faith. I think sometimes this is why calamities happen in life to bring us back to God. I found that most people who believe that they have nothing, pray more and relied more on God's help. If the God of love saw his people with sin and abundance and not having one coin in heaven, would he not do something about that? He would not stand by and let them be asleep in sin and death. He would try to awaken them to their life's condition. Showing them there is more to life than having pride in one's material possessions. Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
1 Timothy 6:7 "for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." If we cannot take anything out of this world when we die, then what do we take with us? The answer is our inner self, our spirit. Matthew 12:36,37 "I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." We will all stand before God and be judged by not what we have but who we are on the inside. When I feel like I have nothing it makes me take a good hard look at myself to who I am. I have come to realize in these bad times in my life that who I really am is a child of God and I cannot be anything else. Trying to be something that I am not only brings me much emotional pain and trouble.
From my nothingness, I am still something. The person, God created me to be. My inner self glorifies God and longs to be with him in his kingdom. This thinking maybe worthless to the world but it is everything to me. My core being, when in need it cries out to our Father in heaven. This is the truth, with him I feel complete without him I feel lost. Why, because I am his creation and my body, mind and spirit knows somehow this is true. When I am feeling that I am nothing, I can still feel the spirit of God standing beside me telling me I am still something. Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
The Attainable
We seem to be constantly looking to attain things. But I have asked myself what can I really attain in this world? I have to be honest with myself and say there are things that are beyond my ability to accomplish. This thought lead me to a realization that what God wants for us is within everyone's reach. God loves all of us, so to put his salvation plan within everyone's ability to have. We do not have to be the best, the most wise, the strongest or the smartest, we just have to say, yes to God and live our lives according to his will. He made it uncomplicated so that everyone can understand and have a chance at eternal life in his kingdom. Many things are beyond our reach but this wonderful blessing from God is attainable for all.
He made it easy to accept his gift. There is no competition for it, everyone who wants it can have it. It is one of the most simplest things that we can do in this life and it becomes our greatest thing that we can do in our life. It is nothing that we have earned but it was freely given to us. Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast." God has given this gift to all of us and no one is left out.
Some people in our world looks at this free gift from God as something not worth having. 1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." We can see how powerful this free gift of God is in how it has changed our lives and the way it has made us feel. It is not foolishness to us, for it has saved our lives and lifted us out of death to eternal life. The word of the cross has brought the power of God into our lives and we are very grateful for it.
We do not have to feel sad because we are not accomplishing fantastic things in this world. We do not have to be the best of the best to be loved by God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were noble birth. 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." So do not be ashamed because you are not the best according to worldly standards, God still loves you and invites you to be with him in his kingdom. You can have the best in life by embracing the word of God and accepting his free gift of love through his son Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
We were Created out of Love, to Love
Who created us? A God of love. 1 John 4:8 "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." And what does God want us to do? 1 John 4:21 "And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." So it stands to reason a God who is love and created us from his love also wants us to be like him in loving others. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." If God is the image of love, we are the image of that love as well. This shows me that we all have a great capacity to love, for God place it within the human race at the very beginning.
To act out of violence is going against how we were created and how we are suppose to act toward one another. 1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." This violence that is in our world is becoming greater and I said to myself, "Why is this so?" I believe it is to draw us away from our true purpose for which we were created, to be God's loving reflection and image upon our world. Who would have an interest in stopping us from doing this? 1 John 3:10 "By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." So the devil is involved and he is trying to turn as many of us as he can to his side.
The whole world is being deceived by Satan. Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." With his deception, Satan manipulates people to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:26 "and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." The devil's deception blinds people from seeing the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." We see the devil is trying his best to take our minds away from following God's path of love and to follow his rebellious path of hate and violence.
The apostle Paul called us God's workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Here again we are showed that we are made to do good over evil. Doing evil is going against our true nature. Believing in the lies of Satan only brings us down into a spiritual death. Ephesians 2:1 "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience." But God because he loved us rescued us and brought us back to life through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:4,5 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved." Only by God's love and mercy we are saved and brought back to a life that we were meant to live.
No one thrives in a violent world. When gun fire is heard it causes us to fear. We are made for peace and we thrive when we are loved. This is what God wants for us to live in a peaceful and loving world. He does not want us to fear for our lives on a daily basis. We were created in his image and that image is a loving one. If we would just close our ears to the messages of hate and violence and embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ, we would learn about our true nature. The way that God intended us to live. 1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (ESV)
To act out of violence is going against how we were created and how we are suppose to act toward one another. 1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." This violence that is in our world is becoming greater and I said to myself, "Why is this so?" I believe it is to draw us away from our true purpose for which we were created, to be God's loving reflection and image upon our world. Who would have an interest in stopping us from doing this? 1 John 3:10 "By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." So the devil is involved and he is trying to turn as many of us as he can to his side.
The whole world is being deceived by Satan. Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." With his deception, Satan manipulates people to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:26 "and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." The devil's deception blinds people from seeing the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." We see the devil is trying his best to take our minds away from following God's path of love and to follow his rebellious path of hate and violence.
The apostle Paul called us God's workmanship. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Here again we are showed that we are made to do good over evil. Doing evil is going against our true nature. Believing in the lies of Satan only brings us down into a spiritual death. Ephesians 2:1 "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience." But God because he loved us rescued us and brought us back to life through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:4,5 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved." Only by God's love and mercy we are saved and brought back to a life that we were meant to live.
No one thrives in a violent world. When gun fire is heard it causes us to fear. We are made for peace and we thrive when we are loved. This is what God wants for us to live in a peaceful and loving world. He does not want us to fear for our lives on a daily basis. We were created in his image and that image is a loving one. If we would just close our ears to the messages of hate and violence and embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ, we would learn about our true nature. The way that God intended us to live. 1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (ESV)
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Living Imperfectly on God's Perfect Path
I do not know how many times I have thought to myself that I just don't measure up to God's perfect standards. I seem to make mistakes all the time, showing me just how imperfect that I am. It is so frustrating to read in the Bible the way I should be and then falling short on doing so. I thank God for his mercy and the patience he has for me. Where would I be without it? Not in a very good place.
My imperfection does keep me humble. In no way can I stand tall and prideful before God. I would just look foolish, so I bow before him and ask him for forgiveness of my sins. I know in my heart he has love for me and his love will forgive my shortcomings. Matthew 18:21,22 "Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." God is merciful toward us but I would like to become a person who needs a little less forgiving. Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."
It is a daily battle to up hold your Christian values in this devil controlled world. 1 John 5:19 "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." But if we do need help we can pray to God and he will hear us. 1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." And Jesus will protect us from the devil if he sees us trying our best to live by his word. 1 John 5:18 "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." God loves us as his precious children and just like a good Father, he will protect us and help us anyway that he can.
Yes, I am living imperfectly on God's perfect path and even though I think to myself that I am not measuring up, the important part is that I am not giving up. I do not look at it like it is an impossible task that I was given. God knows we are imperfect human beings and that is why he sent his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, we could not have forgiveness of our sins without him. We could not have a chance at eternal life in God's kingdom without the love and help of our Savior. We are imperfect human beings and we cannot find our way on our own.
God has not given up on us and neither should we give up on ourselves. In God's eyes we are worthy enough to be saved even though we are imperfect. Don't let the devil to deceive you, you are loved by God and always will be. It is your own choice whether or not to accept it. God is like the sun overhead and the devil is like the dark clouds that try to block out any sunlight from getting through. God's light is always shining down upon us and the devil is trying to make us to believe there is no hope or light at all. Even worst he is trying to make us believe his darkness is the light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
My love for God and his word has kept me going upon the path to his kingdom. His truth and righteousness is what I believe in and in how I want to live my life. I have seen how bad people live their lives and their path will never be mine. I have by choice made God's way my way and never have I regretted it. I feel I have been blessed by his spirit and that someday I will be with him in his kingdom even though I am living imperfectly on God's perfect path.
My imperfection does keep me humble. In no way can I stand tall and prideful before God. I would just look foolish, so I bow before him and ask him for forgiveness of my sins. I know in my heart he has love for me and his love will forgive my shortcomings. Matthew 18:21,22 "Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." God is merciful toward us but I would like to become a person who needs a little less forgiving. Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."
It is a daily battle to up hold your Christian values in this devil controlled world. 1 John 5:19 "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." But if we do need help we can pray to God and he will hear us. 1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." And Jesus will protect us from the devil if he sees us trying our best to live by his word. 1 John 5:18 "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." God loves us as his precious children and just like a good Father, he will protect us and help us anyway that he can.
Yes, I am living imperfectly on God's perfect path and even though I think to myself that I am not measuring up, the important part is that I am not giving up. I do not look at it like it is an impossible task that I was given. God knows we are imperfect human beings and that is why he sent his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, we could not have forgiveness of our sins without him. We could not have a chance at eternal life in God's kingdom without the love and help of our Savior. We are imperfect human beings and we cannot find our way on our own.
God has not given up on us and neither should we give up on ourselves. In God's eyes we are worthy enough to be saved even though we are imperfect. Don't let the devil to deceive you, you are loved by God and always will be. It is your own choice whether or not to accept it. God is like the sun overhead and the devil is like the dark clouds that try to block out any sunlight from getting through. God's light is always shining down upon us and the devil is trying to make us to believe there is no hope or light at all. Even worst he is trying to make us believe his darkness is the light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
My love for God and his word has kept me going upon the path to his kingdom. His truth and righteousness is what I believe in and in how I want to live my life. I have seen how bad people live their lives and their path will never be mine. I have by choice made God's way my way and never have I regretted it. I feel I have been blessed by his spirit and that someday I will be with him in his kingdom even though I am living imperfectly on God's perfect path.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Joy to the World
Beyond the sadness, the despair and the darkness within our world there is still joy. Luke 2:10,11 "And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the lord." Through the dense darkness of our world God showed us the light through his son Jesus Christ. Jesus read these words in a synagogue. Luke 4:18,19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Yes, there is joy to our world through our Savior Jesus Christ. He brought to us the good news of the kingdom of God. Luke 4:43 "but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." Why was he preaching the good news? John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me." Jesus said in John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:40 "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." Do you see where the long lasting joy in our world comes from? It is not from what man has done but what Jesus Christ has done and will do in our future.
Jesus Christ has made us joyful by releasing us from death and giving us a resurrection of eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15:21,22 "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." He has made us joyful by bringing us closer to God. Ephesians 2:17-19 "And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God," We were once strangers but now through Jesus Christ, we our members of the household of God. I find that to be pretty joyful.
I could go on and tell you all the beautiful and joyful things that Jesus Christ has done for us but it would take a very long time to do so. I just wanted to say that true lasting joy that we have in this world comes from Jesus Christ and all the good that we do comes from following his example.
Let the heavens sing of his glory and let us praise him for all that he has done for us, for he is our light through the darkness and our joy when we are sad. He is bringing in a new tomorrow and a joy to our world that will last forever. Even in our darkest hour we can still say, "Joy to the world for the Lord has come." (ESV)
Let the heavens sing of his glory and let us praise him for all that he has done for us, for he is our light through the darkness and our joy when we are sad. He is bringing in a new tomorrow and a joy to our world that will last forever. Even in our darkest hour we can still say, "Joy to the world for the Lord has come." (ESV)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
We Must Take a Stand
I know this will not be a popular post but I have to say, that we who want to be true Christians must take a stand for our faith. We cannot say there are many roads to heaven. John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me." Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Yes, we must get along with our neighbors but not to a point where we abandon our faith and deny our God.
Jesus made demands to his followers that will cause divisions within their own families. Matthew 10:37,38 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." He is saying we have to take a stand within our own family; by not letting our own family's views and opinions turn us away from following him. We have to stand firm in our belief that our eternity and our family's eternity lies within the hands of God, and no one else.
When we take a stand for God, we make ourselves enemies of the world. James 4:4 "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." So just being a Christian will cause conflict within our own life. Why? 1 John 5:19 "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." We carry the light of God within us and the world prefers staying in the dark. John 3:19,20 "And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light, lest his works should be exposed." We are seen as a threat to some people because our very presence make them feel guilty about their lifestyle. But do we really want to make people who do evil things comfortable?
We cannot say everyone is right in the way they believe, so as to just get along. Revelation 3:15,16 "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." If we do not take a solid stand on the word of God, we will be rejected by God on the day of our judgement. Instead, we should be showing our devotion by doing what Jesus Christ told the apostle Paul to do in the book of Acts 26:18 "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
Compromising our faith is not an option for us Christians, to God it looks like we are not committed. He will look upon us like we are lukewarm, someone who stands in the middle between good and evil, someone who does not take sides. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?" We cannot act like the world and still be accepted by God. We must choose God over the world and say without a doubt that Jesus Christ is the way, and the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him. We must believe in God with all of our heart and make a firm stand upon his word. (ESV)
Jesus made demands to his followers that will cause divisions within their own families. Matthew 10:37,38 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." He is saying we have to take a stand within our own family; by not letting our own family's views and opinions turn us away from following him. We have to stand firm in our belief that our eternity and our family's eternity lies within the hands of God, and no one else.
When we take a stand for God, we make ourselves enemies of the world. James 4:4 "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." So just being a Christian will cause conflict within our own life. Why? 1 John 5:19 "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." We carry the light of God within us and the world prefers staying in the dark. John 3:19,20 "And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light, lest his works should be exposed." We are seen as a threat to some people because our very presence make them feel guilty about their lifestyle. But do we really want to make people who do evil things comfortable?
We cannot say everyone is right in the way they believe, so as to just get along. Revelation 3:15,16 "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." If we do not take a solid stand on the word of God, we will be rejected by God on the day of our judgement. Instead, we should be showing our devotion by doing what Jesus Christ told the apostle Paul to do in the book of Acts 26:18 "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
Compromising our faith is not an option for us Christians, to God it looks like we are not committed. He will look upon us like we are lukewarm, someone who stands in the middle between good and evil, someone who does not take sides. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?" We cannot act like the world and still be accepted by God. We must choose God over the world and say without a doubt that Jesus Christ is the way, and the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him. We must believe in God with all of our heart and make a firm stand upon his word. (ESV)
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