Continuing Michael's message: To accept Jesus as Lord means to forsake self-serving pride. This is the root of the problem with the rich young ruler who approached Jesus and said, “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life.” Jesus knew what was in the heart of man so he replied, “Why do you call me good? There is none good (in the flesh). Only God himself is good.” Jesus continued, “You know the law: Do not commit murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother... in other words, love your neighbor as yourself.” The young ruler said filled with pride, “These things I have done since my youth.” Then Jesus said, “One thing you lack. Sell all your goods and give the proceeds to the poor. Then come and follow me.” The young man went away sorrowful, for he had great material wealth. The rich young ruler may have kept part of the Ten Commandments, but he did not honor the first of the ten commandments ... Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. The gods he worshipped were his material possessions and his own self-serving pride. According to the Aramaic text, this verse says, “Thou shalt have no other gods between your face and my face.” He had the wrong gods that came between him and the one true God. The first and great commandment is to love God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength. When we do the first commandment, the other nine.... will fall in line. Why? Because the love of God covers a multitude of sins.
The problem with the church is “casual Christians.” A casual Christian follows Christ only when it’s convenient, easy, and without heartache, trials and tribulations. Casual Christians are casualties in the spiritual battle. Jesus said you have to count the cost of following me. The last of the beatitudes says, blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven.
There is a difference between Jesus of Orange County and Jesus or Nazareth. The false Jesus of Orange County is a broad way that leads to destruction. Jesus of Nazareth is the narrow way through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Jesus of the OC says there is no cost to follow me. Jesus of Nazareth says count the cost, take up your cross daily and follow me. Jesus of the OC says you can come on your own terms. Jesus of Nazareth says, come on God’s terms. His terms are unilateral and non-negotiable according to the Word of God. Jesus of the OC says obey when it’s convenient. Jesus of Nazareth says obey no matter what. Jesus of the OC says, make decisions based on fear. Jesus of Nazareth says, make decisions based on faith, for God never honors fear but he always honors faith. Jesus of Orange County says, look out for number one and you’re number one. Jesus of Nazareth says look to the things of God for you are my bond servant, bound by the bond of love. You are servants of whom you obey, whether sin unto death or the spirit of God unto eternal life.
God never said that life would be without pain, trials, tribulation and heartache, especially in marriage. If you’re miserable, then you are miserable because you have forsaken God and you have not learned patience for God to deliver you. Through tribulation you will learn endurance ... true godly character, refined by God’s testing and trial. Then you will discover that joy is not the absence of pain but the presence of the Lord. Jesus of the OC wants to be politically correct. Jesus of Nazareth wants to be biblically correct. Jesus of the OC says, Jesus is my guide. Jesus of Nazareth says, Jesus is my Lord. Jesus of the OC says truth is relative. Jesus of Nazareth says truth is absolute. Jesus of Orange County says peace depends on circumstances. Jesus of Nazareth says that my circumstances are working out for the good of the gospel. Therefore, be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God ... and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The peace of God is not dependent on circumstance but upon the presence of Christ.
Jesus of the OC says follow me and you will have no pain. Jesus of Nazareth says, in this life, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. Jesus of Orange County says study the Bible to know it better. Jesus of Nazareth says study the word for the renewing your mind that you will be transformed that you may prove what is the good and perfect and acceptable will of God.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, be not deceived, bad company corrupts good morals. You’re most like those with whom you choose to associate. We are called to the church the body of Christ so that we can link together with likeminded men in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
God will not strive with America... The choice is truth or consequences. If God removes his hand of blessing and protection from this land because of the nation’s unbelief, He is preparing the hearts of His men and women of God for such a time as this. Despite the brokenness of this fallen world, our hope is not in our nation but in the country of our new birth for we are born-again citizens of heaven.
God doesn’t call the qualified and equipped. He qualifies and equips the called. The qualification and the equipment is the power of his Holy Spirit. God did not call us to deliver the message, but to be the message... to be about our Father’s business. Our father’s business is to be the salt of the earth... to be witness of the truth, the message of salvation to reconcile God’s people back to God through our Lord Jesus Christ... this is our mission and our great commission: to go give ‘em Heaven that together we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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