In the present world we are highly discouraged from speaking about God’s things. Do you think this is something new to the world? Point to a place (since the fall of Adam) where man was encouraged to speak of the Lord. Want to live a life worth living? Proclaim the truths of the Lord at every possible place. I promise you something: The more you proclaim, the less you’ll be asked to speak. So don’t worry about being shunned. It will happen either here or in heaven.
By His Grace.
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Stand strong for the Lord Jesus and you will be misunderstood. It is an absolute truth. You can set everything you are and own on that. You will be misunderstood by the entire world. And you will be misunderstood by the majority of those who call themselves Christian.
It is acceptable to perform life at minimal amplitude. But this acceptance comes from those who chase after Holiness through a half witted strength and desire. Those who bend their entire self toward the Lord will not look like anything natural to this world. They will be different in all their dealings. They will submit to that which is “other”. They will search after the will of God without regard to their own personal gain. And this search will yield all the godly attributes we expect from Christians.
I look at my ability to convince others of this and realize that I have no power to help anyone else define their allegiance to God. All I can do is jump on here and type what is true. It remains in the hand of each of us to force our hearts to look into the perfect face of God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son. We have all been warned. And we will all stand individually before Him on “That Day”.
As you stand you will encounter a certain bracing wind of opposition. Stand strong and you will face a hurricane of hatred from anyone who hates the Holiness of God. There should be mentioned here that there is a place of “standing” in which you will not have the strength to stand. You can’t perform a truly godly life without the Spirit of God within you. You can pace yourself in a “religion”. But you won’t be able to withstand the onslaught from man with God’s help. And one more point: No one can enter into the godly life without the Lord opening the door.
By His Grace.
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The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)
I sit this morning and ponder my bruised mind. Why do I do these things? I want to do what is right. But I am forced along by what I don’t understand. The Apostle Paul spoke about sin living in him that causes him to do what he does not want to do. We are caught in a horrible fixture. We learn to listen to what the Lord speaks, both through His word and in our soul. But we often find we have wandered off the path a bit. In a frantic scramble, we trace our way back. Then, out of breath from the struggle, we sit to ponder why we wandered.
We are not yet perfected in our worship of Jesus. But as fast as we can, when we find our way gone wrong, we recover and make amends as we are able. It is the Spirit of God who enlightens the horror of sin in a man. He alone can show you what needs fixing. And by the Grace of God, you are bid to take part in this dance of salvation. “Let’s work hard on this today”. Though you didn’t realize why you did those things, God will show you.
Listen to Him and live. Stop your ears and you remain in death.
By His Grace.
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As I respond to comments, the words sometimes astound me. I know it’s not me who is responding. It’s a lead conversation. The Lord is in the concepts. And He allows me to interpret what’s being spoken from Heaven.
I posted something in response to a comment today that has really caused me pause. “If I wanted to tear down any social structure I wouldn’t use a direct attack of hacking limbs or even banishing them from society in general. I would infiltrate their group, act like them enough to get honors, then allow myself to be seen corrupting their code of honor.” What shall we say to that? If this statement doesn’t provoke a serious look at our motivation and “belonging”, we’re in serious trouble.
Christians: If you find yourself bringing shame to the name of Jesus, you alone will answer for it. In the mean time you help the enemy block the door for those trying to enter. And you do yourself untold harm when you appear before Him. Let me say this please. And take note that I don’t give a rip what you might think of me for saying this. If you’re doing harm to the body of Christ in this world, it would be better that you pull away from the body and stop telling people you’re Christian. At least the Lord would be able to see that you care enough about His honor to suffer loss. If you can’t keep your lust under control, if you can’t keep your loose tongue sealed behind those quivering lips, if you just can’t seem to stop bringing shame to the Lord, then step away.
Do you think I say this without personal experience in this matter? I’ve gone through more than a decade of isolation because I saw myself doing more damage than was reasonable. I know we all slip. I’m not poking at that. I’m looking intently into the eyes of those who believe it’s ok to do anything they please or say anything they want, and still allow others to think you’re a Christian.
I could say so much more about this. But I think I’ve said enough to have my head delivered on a platter by those who hate the Holiness of God. And if you continue to draw a bad name to Jesus, you’ll eventually look much like that picture above. While you should have been a clear message to the world through your display of Christ, we can’t make heads or tails of your testimony. And you will be held accountable for all of it.
By His Grace.
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What right does someone who is yet not Holy have to speak of Holy things? He not only has the right to speak of such things, he has an obligation. After all, which of us has attained to the Holiness of God? And what athlete trains with tinker toys when working toward fitness demanded by the olympics? And if a thing is not yet perfected in it’s invention, do the inventors refuse to speak of the “ideal” product?
So what shall we conclude? We are forced to say that to speak of anything less than Holiness will only cause us to approach the “something less”. We attain toward that which is our ideal. And we accomplish that attaining according to our desire.
Let people speak of anything less than the Holiness of God as their desire, and something less will be the outcome of their endeavors. In short, we become more and more like the One we hold as our target. The Christian world will often be caught holding up a small slice of Christ’s expectations for His people. And to this standard the general Church aspires. Items in the Christian experience such as mercy, generosity, prayer, truth, and a sinless obedience to Christ, are sincerely admirable. But the over all goal is to give our best shot at becoming Holy. And what shall we reply to the statement, “I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44)
May all God’s children aspire to what is “other” in this life. The rewards of Christ hinge on our being separate from the world.
By His Grace.
I find something rather puzzling in my experience of Christ Jesus and His “Called out ones”. I stand alone as though I were cast out from everyone in Christ. And there’s no doubt that the non-believers hold me in contempt. The latter is as it should be. The former gives me a bit of pause. I accept the Lord’s leading without reservation. And I’m not here to gripe about what I receive. But, as much as I try, I can’t seem to gain acceptance from God’s family.
If I were face to face with my brothers and sisters, there would be no indication that I don’t fit in. But in the “real world”, (that is, outside the traditional Church environment) I walk alone. And regardless how I try to “fit in”, there are no companions in The Faith to walk with.
This is a curious plight. I don’t feel slighted in the slightest. And I hold no one at fault. But, for the life of me, I can’t find an explanation. I might point out my quirks. But everyone’s got them. About the only thing I can look to as partially to blame is my focus on what is Christ Jesus. Perhaps I would have better fit in in another part of history.
Regardless. I do enjoy a vibrant life in the Lord. And perhaps it’s proper that I should feel shorted in anything else. I will take what is given me and rejoice in this estranged life. For God knows all. And He is able to save by leading us into the life of His choosing.
By His Grace.
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