Friday, October 10, 2014

The Professional Christian - Part 2



Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Now, let's continue Michael's message on "the Professional Christian." He writes: There is always good news and bad news.  The difference is whether we look at circumstances from God's heavenly perspective or from the devil's worldly perspective of defeat and destruction.  According to the Word, all things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.  What the devil meant for evil, God meant for good. Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit.  The devil will twist your mind to "justify" sin...  to look away from the mark of the high calling.  If you're not aiming at the mark, you're sure to miss the mark.  Therefore, turn your eyes upon Jesus...  The solution to sin is the Savior from sin.  Only through Jesus Christ can we resist the devil.

In Ezekiel 33, the people came unto the house of The Lord, listened to the words of the prophet, but did not put them into practice.  However, God has called us to be "professional" Christians.  "Profession," also translated "confession," is from the Greek word "homo-logeo."  Literally translated from two Greek words, "homo" means "same" and "Logeo" means "word."  Therefore "homo-logeo" means "same word."  A professional is one who speaks the same word:  one who makes God's word his word.  A professional is a disciplined follower, trained to speak his master's word and to practice following his master's will.  A professional is trained in his discipline and is a practitioner of his discipline.  When we confess or profess with our mouth The Lord Jesus Christ, we're professional Christians.  Therefore, be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves. God has called us to be disciplined followers of Jesus Christ.  A disciple is a professional Christian, called to both deliver the message and to live the message...  to be the message.  God did not call us to be Christian professionals, rather he called us to be professional Christians.

In the midst of the spiritual battle, Jesus says, "come unto me all ye who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest."  He said, "my peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Despite the battle that rages around us, thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place... Go ye therefore teach all nations:  proclaim the word, practice the word, live the word and in so doing...  Give 'em heaven! Profess the Lord!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

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