The Miracle of Following Lord God

Romans 1:28-32 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."

Pastor Kyle continues in our church’s “I need a Miracle” sermon series. He started out by telling us the importance of witnessing without fear the gospel of Jesus Christ for the advancement of the kingdom of Heaven, but warns that there is a point where “pushing people” becomes dishonoring.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

Hard to believe that in the planting of the seeds of the gospel message and watering, that pulling people from the very flame of Hell has a line, but there is choice for Christ at the foot of the cross that has to be made and we have to let them go at some point to find out for themselves. On the Highway to Hell, you have to take the off ramp for Heaven – Matthew 7:13-14. Decisions to follow Lord God, or the lack there of, have serious and eternal consequences. Bad choices in life can be great learning experiences that can lead to repentance and a U-turn to the Salvation Road via the Blessed Savior Jesus Christ in our Maker Father God’s roadmap to Heaven.

Romans 14:12 “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Taking responsibility of others bad choices is not your or my godly duty. We reflect the light and love of Christ to lead others to the Savior and Lord, but we are never to be a “enabler” allowing them to stay and be comfortable in their sin. Just as Jesus meets us all of us where we are as sinners but does not keep us where we are, the Child of God must expect to see “good fruit” (Matthew 7:17-21) to be produced and visible in the rescued. We all need to own our decisions. Sometimes, Christians need to push back and make hard decisions in order to have Atheists and Agnostics own their own decisions.

Daniel 2:21 “And He (God) changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

Pastor Kyle warns that one thing being off can cause the rest to go bad. When we encounter old problems and disturbed waters in life, try something proactive. Albert Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” We must fall into that trap while understanding that God is truly in charge and in control of the situation. To dishonor the authority that that the Lord puts in our life is to dishonor God.

In Matthew 5:37, Jesus says: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Never say one thing and mean another. All of us inevitably have issues with authority. Nobody has to teach disobedience in children. Parent teach boundaries and obedience based upon the Word, Will and Way of God. Sin is not some pet on a leash, but a monster that wants to devour us. Know that none of us can handle sin and messing with God catches up with us all.

God is offering redemption, restoration, recovery, reconciliation and rehabilitation in obedience and honor at the foot of the cross through Jesus Christ. Follow Lord God.

In Christ, Brian