Thursday, July 2, 2009

Gotta Light?

I thank God for bringing me & others together for the ministry of each other and His purpose. I've been praying about this "darkness" problem that seems to be affecting our culture so tremendously today. The Lord placed us all in this particular day & age to identify it, deal with it and make a difference. The Sin nature is serious and causes internal stress through the conscience of unrighteousness because it is really rebellion against God's word and will. Unresolved Sin leads to spiritual death for unbelievers and spiritual battle between the flesh and the Spirit, then correction to true believers. The Bible makes it clear that God’s light can not be yoked with darkness; there will be a constant battle in the heart – Galatians 5:16-18. But everybody can make the choice to walk out of darkness, walk in step with the Spirit and into the light of Jesus – John 3:19-21. Let's go there!

God never forces people into Heaven. He tells us “the Way” to heaven, then let's us make the choice. Many skeptics and unbelievers say that they cannot believe in a God that sends people to Hell. But in reality, God sends nobody to eternal damnation; people make the choice to send themselves to Hell by not choosing God's free gift of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in Heaven. Remember John 3:18 says: "Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." To make "no choice" is even a choice for Hell. So many people don't know this! Also, many believe that they can have it both ways, meaning receiving salvation through believing in Christ as their Savior, through his atoning death, but not follow God's commandments, standards and teachings. This is a sign of an unregenerate heart that has not surrendered Lordship to the Prince of Peace. Jeremiah tells us in chapter 17:9-10 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” They desire Jesus as Savior of their life, but not the Lord of their life. These people think that they "out smart" God, but its God's definition of "belief" that determines salvation; not theirs. Remember, God searches and judges the heart. If there is no "new" heart, born again of water and the Spirit, that surrenders all, that desires to walk in the light and follow Jesus' loving direction as Lord, then He is not Lord at all; you still sit on the throne. No one is forced; it is our choice who is King. Once we, by grace, through faith, come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (redeemed in His atonement for justification), the process of sanctification (maturing as a follower of Christ) begins. Through faith and obedience we grow in grace, constantly learning and improving, towards the likeness (manner and character) of Christ. Sure, we are tempted by our flesh to still sin. The flesh, the world and Satan will always be attempting to side-track our pilgrimage and look away from Jesus. Ever notice how the Bible speaks about Christian living so much? That's because when we accept Christ as Lord and Savior of our life, we don't miraculously know everything we need to know on this journey yet. Christians fall off the paths of righteousness, but repent and get back in conformity with the Father’s word, will and way. Luke 15:13-24 illustrates this in the parable of the prodigal son, and we learn that Believers sometimes fall into the pig pen, but don’t stay in the pig pen. Children of God get up out of the pig pen of sin and get back "right" with the Father. We fight this battle daily in the flesh - Romans 7:14-25. Without Christ in our heart and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17), we could not walk in the light of righteousness by ourselves. Our Lord loves us. The Holy Spirit is given, inside our heart, to guide us and teach us, but we are to seek always godly knowledge and ask for Divine wisdom for our understanding - the light of life. What a life! What a blessing!

Remember that Christians aren't perfect, but forgiven. And because of what happened on that Cross on Calvary 2000 years ago, we have been granted adoption into God's holy family - John 1:12-14, and eternal life with our Lord God in Heaven. Love God and love one another. If we love, then laws are not needed, because laws are not needed where they are never broken - they are written on our heart. Here’s an example: It turns from saying "I will not steal." to "why would I steal?" and living it, for the world to see your light. This is why it says in Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither following the Law nor not following the Law has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Does that make sense? John 8:11-12 Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

1 Peter 2:4-10 “As you come to Jesus, the living Stone--rejected by godless and sinful men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,” The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.'

Lead those around you to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that they may walk out of the darkness of this age and into His wonderful light. Your very life is a witness. Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! Gotta Light?

God bless you and God be with you.
Brian

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