Waiting On God - Apt 1223

 

Recently I saw this posted on Face Book: "Then God said, I heard your prayers, Now trust my timing."

A comment below that statement  read, "I love this but hard to do sometimes!" This touched my heart because I too have prayed, waited for an answer from God, but the longer I waited the more difficult it became to believe God was even hearing me. Today I want to address the subject, WAITING ON GOD.

Jesus never promised our lives wouldn’t have pain or hardship. He spoke just the opposite: “In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (NIV). We live in a fallen world, we can’t escape suffering and painful situations.  Then there’s that pesky free will that takes us out of God’s wonderful plan.  But He never forgets about us.  And He always promises us hope. “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31) NKJV. God’s timing isn’t just great, it’s perfect! He never gets exhausted from the work of being God or slows down His pace. He certainly is never powerless to change our situation! Instead, we have this great promise that if we wait on God’s timing, He will give us the power and strength to better understand and work with His perspective. I know that relying on my own power and strength to live in this world fails me.  I’ll take God’s strength and power any day! Working within His timing lets us put the faith we profess into practice.

We have to trust God’s Plan. I love this reminder from Paul about Jesus, “For in Him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together” Colossians 1:16-17(NIV). Jesus is our sovereign King. He was before all things in time and creation.  He holds all things together. We can trust His plans and timing. When we feel tempted to say, “Are you there Lord?"(and I have) know that He sees you, knows what you need, and loves you.

But how do we trust Gods timing you ask?

1. Wait.  When we feel in a hurry to move forward or decide that we can’t trust His timing, remember the words of Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” The entirety of Psalm 27 is David’s confident prayer when he was in trouble.  It speaks of his faith in waiting for his light, his salvation, and his stronghold- his God!

2. Pray like David about your situation. Hand it over to God and wait for him to show you the path to take. Declare Him to be your stronghold and to keep you in His safe-keeping. Have you heard the saying “Let Go and Let God?” Giving it to God and trusting in Him will see you through.

3.Make it a habit to trust in Him each day; one day at a time. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation” Psalm 68:19 (NKJV.)

Every day He loads us with His benefits: mercies, kindness, protection, and provisions. He shows His love and cares for us day after day, without limits! Not just when we need it, but daily. He has promised this to us. Trust Him when He says He will give you these things.  Actively watch for His benefits to manifest themselves in your life. Believe BEFORE you receive. Remember His past provisions and protections for you.

I believe it also helps to keep a prayer journal to remind yourself of answered prayers from the past. We have short memories.  We sometimes forget how He guided us through the hard times. Continue to Walk in Faith “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 (NIV.) 

Do any of these sound familiar in regard to waiting on God?

"I don't understand what's taking God so long?"

"I don't understand why God isn't answering me."

"I don't understand. I've been asking for months."

"Where are you God? Have you forgotten me?"

"I don't understand why you are allowing this?"

Do you see a pattern?  It's I, I, me me. The Word instructs us in so many words, don't depend on YOU or your perception in understanding all situations. In reality, you know nothing. God sees the future. He sees all angles. He knows every possibility. He's aware of every move the enemy has devised to thwart God's plan because ... "all things work for good to those that love Him" (Romans8:28). God is not only dealing with your request(s), He also has to work through other people, time, circumstances, and arrangements to make things align at the perfect time! Sometimes it's a matter of working on other peoples hearts (which takes time) to either humble, guide, or direct an action on their part which will coincide in getting you the answer you desire. It's not always just a matter of an instant response. It can be but not always. Here is an example of what I mean.

Let's say you desperately need a place to live because your landlord has raised your rent to a level you cannot afford any longer. To make matters worse you are on a limited income. You have two children, a boy and a girl. One is 5 and the other is 6 months old. You have a dog you don't want to get rid of because your son loves him. Unfortunately, you have no car and no means to move all your things. Your husband left you and there is no immediate family since they all live in another state. The landlord has given you 2 months before the rent increase. THIS is a desperate situation needing an immediate answer. So you pray. You tell God you have to move but you don't know where to go or how and please help you find a place you can afford. What does God have to do? POOF, your new apartment is ready by the end of the month? It's a possibility since "all things are possible with God" Matthew19:26. However, not likely. Trust that God knows more than you. He begins working and it looks something like this:

You need an affordable 2 bedroom apartment that will allow children and pets." That's what YOU see. !!! Period.

But here is what God sees and begins working to answer your prayer: Okay, let's see. I need to locate an affordable 2 bedroom apartment, must be very affordable and open to accept people on a fixed income. An apartment without requiring a 1st and last months deposit because she won't have the funds. I'll need a manager that accepts dogs but will let a pet deposit slide (that one will be challenging). She has to have a way to do her laundry. Hmm, I'll see if I can get that too. I need to get her on a bus route and for a bus stop to be within a safe walking distance. She'll need a grocery store and bank nearby. Oh, and the 5 year old I created will need a school close by, a good school. The neighborhood needs to be a safe one. And when I ARRANGE ALL THESE THINGS, I need to make sure one of her fellow tenants will love her and her children and will volunteer to babysit for her. I'm going to put her on the 1st floor since it's difficult to handle babies and groceries too. I need to make sure the ground floor has a enclosed patio grass area for safety. And finally, I need a couple of tenants who are willing to give her rides to the doctor, bank, and church.

To answer your prayer, God will do something like the following.  When you examine it, it's only then you can realize what a miracle He works out on your behalf. Let this sink in: First, God has to search your entire city for that perfect apartment but His working power goes much further than locating an available apartment. Yes, because He is omniscient He knows exactly where a safe, two bedroom, ground floor apartment is with a protective fenced-in patio area but it is currently occupied by a single man. Now watch God's miracle working power...

1. God can and will move the heart of that employer to finally give that single man the promotion he's always wanted.

2. In turn, that prompts the man to want to move from this smaller apartment to a big penthouse. He wants be out in 1 month and notifies his landlord.

3. The landlord will proceed to advertise the vacancy available in one month. Things are going as God planned.

**In the meantime you are still praying for an answer. Days go by. And still praying. Losing faith. Weeks passing. Fear setting in. Doubting God. An entire month passes without a way to move out. There's no money, no plan, no answers. Your faith is quickly waning.

4. While riding the bus one day you over hear a woman who is sitting across the isle. She's talking rather loudly on her cell phone to someone saying, " Lorelei Clayton. Mrs. Lorelei Clayton. Yes ma'am. Yes. That's okay. People are always apt to forget my name because it's unusual. No, I said apt, A-P-T as in apartment. Apt to forget my name. Yes, I'll hold. Thank you. I just moved so my records may not be updated yet."

**A man rushes to the front of the bus. "Ma'am. Ma'am! I missed my stop would you just pull over up here and drop me off by the Clayton apartments?"

5. You finally reach home, gather your mail, and as you sit down rummaging through all the paper clutter consisting of 2 bills, a magazine you never ordered, several coupons and advertisements for things you don't buy, you happen to notice something on that magazine cover. It's the word, Clayton!

Ad: "CLAYTON apartments. Come see our newly remodeled, affordable living." It dawns on you. Was that a coincidence today? That lady across from me on the bus spelled out the word apt and used "apartment" as her comparative word.  And also she said she just MOVED. Then the guy that missed his stop wanted to get off the bus at the CLAYTON apartments? Now, here in my hand is a magazine which came in my mail for some reason, which I have no subscription to, and is advertising on its cover affordable living at the CLAYTON apartments!

**Before I continue with my blog, do you think all this could have been a coincidence? An accident? Luck? Happenstance? Not hardly. It gets better.

6. You see a phone number to call on the magazine cover to make an appointment. You inquire and set a date to see the apartment and speak with the manager the next day.

7. You meet the manager. She's about your age and easy to talk to. She has a son by the same name and age as your son! Weird. You hit it off!

8. Together you discuss the requirements to move in. You don't want her to know your desperation. You're still praying under your breath!

9. You are surprised to find the rent is $20.00 cheaper per month and the manager wants to show you an available 2 bedroom apartment on the ground floor. She adds the gentlemen moved out several weeks ago. Weird.

10. Click. The door opens and your eyes light up. The apartment is clean and newly painted. There's a spacious kitchen, 2 nice bedrooms, and sliding glass doors which lead out to a private patio with a grassy area enclosed by a 6 ft. foot fence. You start to get your hopes up. Time to return to the office.

11. As you are leaving, you notice some paperwork and pamphlets left on the kitchen countertop. One of the pamphlets was a home made pamphlet advertising different activities the complex offers to its residents. Out stood the words: Bible study. Every Friday night in the managers building. Come join us and learn of the goodness of God. Then the manager's voice interrupts your attention, " Oh here, I forgot to show you this, we just had them installed. She opened what you thought was a linen closet. No, there before you was a brand new, shiny white, stackable washer and dryer! (only God!)

12. As you make your way back to the office you find yourself more hopeful than ever! You're still nervous though and praying silently. You know you still need deposit money, and will she allow your dog to live there? And even if she does, there will be a pet fee. There's always a pet fee. You're hope is fading again as doubt creeps in.

13. Back at the office you ask about pets and or fees. There is a 1 month deposit required on the apartment, a $150.00 damage fee up front, and pets are allowed with a $100.00 pet deposit paid up front. Your heart sinks. Your bubble is busted! And just like Peter did when he took his eyes off Jesus, you begin to sink (back into hopelessness).  All those weeks praying; waiting. All those stupid so-called "signs." You knew it was too good to be true! You have nowhere to turn. It was only Jesus that could have helped.

14. You explain you cannot come up with a pet fee as your son does have a dog, nor the 1st months deposit along with the rent too. You open up and talk things over learning more about each other. You begin to discover you have much in common! Her husband left her too with a son and nowhere to turn so she took business management, accounting, and finance classes with the help of her parents and secured her property management position. 

15. Only by the providence of God she decides to "I tell you what, I will make you a deal." She speaks, "If you will babysit my son on Thursday nights when I goes to Pilates for 3 hours, I will wave the deposit fees for both the dog and the 1st months deposit." You can't believe it! She is actually making a way for you to move in whenever you're ready. Really? This freshly painted apartment with a brand new stackable washer and dryer can be yours? She adds, "Oh, and even though there is a laundromat down the street you won't be needing it," and laughs. You find out there's also a bank, grocery store, and hardware store close by. She concludes there is a sweet elderly gentleman in Apt 209 that offers free rides though the week if I would need transportation anywhere although a bus stop is outside the complex! Evidently, according to her, he loves helping people and staying busy in his retirement! Oh, and he also drives a truck and has helped people move out so she is sure he would help me move my things in if needed. He also volunteers as a crossing guard for the local grade school around the corner where her son goes if I wanted to enroll my son there.

This was a true story of a friend of mine that happened 30 years ago. Can you now understand how God has to work sometimes? Trust in Gods timing, knowledge, plans, and sovereignty in your life. In every situation He has to make things materialize.  That might require several situations to happen simultaneously involving softening peoples hearts so that it directly or indirectly affects your outcome.

God is Always on Time! There will be situations when God’s timing leaves us frustrated and full of questions.  But remember:

He created time and is it’s Master. His timing is perfect. He is never late! He is always at work for you and has been for eternity. Trusting Him will bring you peace.  Believing in His timeline will give you rest! One last scripture, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11. I hope this blog has given encouragement to someone who has been praying a long time for something that is important to them.

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-

Obsessive Positivity Thinkers

 How many times have you heard this advice when dealing with painful emotions? "Stop being so sensitive. Suck it up and move on."

When others tell you to bury your feelings, it can make you question yourself and the messages your body is trying to send to you. Think about the many times you've attempted to push away a painful feeling by scrolling through social media, bingeing on Netflix, using food, alcohol, addictive substances to avoid emotions, diving into a book, or the newest escape from reality: "obsessive positive thinking." In a world filled with distractions and erroneous messages we've received throughout our lives about emotions, it's easy to see why so many people are afraid to validate feelings. For instance, people who strive hard for happiness set themselves up for failure and often times end up more miserable lying to themselves that the very reality in front of them doesn't exist when it really does. Inevitably, they attempt to make a false reality a reality. Many not only tend to be lonely, but loners and are at greater risk for both manic episodes and deep depression. Bear with me as there will be a spiritual message before I finish. This is a long blog. Some may want to read half now, the other half later. Hopefully it is interesting enough you can finish it in one sitting.

The Obsessive Positive Thinker (OPT) will use positive thinking to avoid or suppress negative emotions and avoid them as if they were the plague. This is not mentally healthy. Avoiding emotions can become toxic. These deniers of reality train themselves to insist things are, in fact, not bad, ever. They don't realize pushing down and suppressing emotions is actually storing up negativity -- the very thing they preach to avoid. Without the ability to face reality and release negativity through expressions such as tears, anger, or remaining quiet, fosters a concept of unrealistic optimism. This happens when we cause the body and spirit to constantly fight to maintain a positive mindset and to exude only positive emotions & thoughts, particularly when things are difficult or truth tries to shake the OPT from their slumber. Admittedly, a reasonable amount of positivity can aid in stress management making us feel better for the moment, but an OPT who divorces himself from reality lives in a constant lie where the senses can see and feel reality but the mind ignores actual facts. This is so toxic. Yes, mind over matter can be a good thing but not with every situation taking place in our lives! People who lie to themselves that 'all is well' when it is not, actually have a bigger mental issue than those who see trouble as something negative. The goal should be tell themselves the truth, accept it, learn from it, grow in the process, and move on.  

We've been taught to ignore, deny, and avoid our emotions altogether—but this is more than just bad advice. Feeling leads to healing (trite but true). When we push away, suppress, or criticize ourselves for having emotions, it comes with a very high cost: our health. Sadly, we've learned how to push discomfort away, but even when we do, it always stays—and grows. There was study from the University of Texas. It found that when we avoid our emotions, we're actually making them stronger. This can create many maladies in the body and in the mind, causing a myriad of health issues. Simply, Toxic Positivity is a term that means… “You must be positive, at all times, no matter what.” It’s another way of saying, “power through it” at whatever expense. It is not simply being positive. It is an unhealthy way of being positive. There is a difference between optimism and toxic positivity.

Coming from a mental health background, I saw this in our patients on a daily basis. When you suppress your emotions, you are confusing and hurting your body in a profound way. Emotions are our body's method of getting us to take action. On a very primal level, our bodies are trying to keep us safe at all times. Back in the cave man and cave woman days, we learned to listen to our guts because they would save us from attack: run away or get eaten. People today are not necessarily running from wild animals anymore but reacting to an emotion and processing it can still ultimately protect them from dangers, both physical and mental. With the speed of our days, it can be challenging to hear what our bodies are trying to say. 

In my career, the mental health experts I worked with proved again and again that suppressing emotions was associated with high rates of heart disease, as well as autoimmune disorders, ulcers, IBS, and gastrointestinal health complications. Physicians were constantly referring their patients to our office when the intervention of medicine designed for the physical body was not working for their patients. Whether you are experiencing anger, sadness, grief, or frustration, pushing those feelings aside actually leads to physical stress on your body and eventually leads to disease. Studies show that holding in feelings has a correlation to high cortisol—the hormone released in response to stress—and that cortisol leads to lower immunity and toxic thinking patterns! Over time, untreated or unrecognized stress can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, problems with memory, aggression, anxiety, and depression. And though OPT's believe they are somehow magically releasing negativity from their bodies through deep breathing, meditation, massage, yoga, or aromatherapy, these methods may temporarily relieve a moment of varied negative feelings within the body itself, but they do nothing to remove REALITY from our minds. The mind stores every thought, imagination, lesson, and memory (good or bad) that has ever crossed the neurons in our brain. In other words, deciding to bury your feelings and ignore them, internalize them, pretend they didn't happen, or to convince yourself that there is no need to deal with them, can literally make you sick and take years to manifest itself!

A few more points before I tie in my biblical message. Anything done in excess, when positivity is used to cover up or silence the human experience, it becomes toxic. By disallowing the existence of certain feelings, we fall into a state of denial and repressed emotions. People who regularly refuse to deal with their emotions honestly and completely but ignore the obvious, are also likely to have more interpersonal challenges. They are less aware of the signals they are sending to others and are often more reactive and disconnected from themselves, which can lead to feelings of isolation and can interfere with relationships. Again, The OPT's tend to not only be lonely but loners! They are at greater risk for both manic episodes and depression according to research. 

Now, how can you develop a healthy relationship with your emotions? Easy. Get with the One who made you. Those who develop a deep, personal, meaningful relationship with God tend to have fewer mental health concerns. I observed this as well in my career in mental health. Patients who listed different faiths in their charts and who relied on themselves to balance their own mental health were more likely to suffer from bipolar, dissociative behaviors, nervous break-downs, and depressive disorders MDD. These category of people were nearly all of the eastern religions, especially the Hindu and the Buddhist. The atheist were a whole other story. Let me interject something important. The psychiatrist I worked for considered the entire man, and he believed a persons faith played a role in their mental stability so he required each patient list their faith (or if an atheist) and officially recorded it in their chart. And, just so you are aware, the psychiatrist I worked for was not a Christian. He was a devote Muslim and the psychotherapist whom I also worked for was atheist. There were many more Eastern religion patients than those who either listed their faith as "Christianity, Christian, or born-again believer. The smaller group of Christian people sought help for disobedient or rebellious teens. Some needed to know how to be more confident in their career. Yet others wanted to know how to overcome a certain vice and a lot wanted advice on how to salvage their marriage. The OPT's were diagnosed with a specific mental conditions verified through the many charts under the Eastern religion category that I observed. From a spiritual perspective, if a person is an obsessively positive thinker and absolutely considers everything is good, nothing is ever wrong, everything is always positive, ethical, and upright, then sin doesn't exist and therefore there is no need for a Savior. Right?  God tells us otherwise. 

I can only share what I, as a true follower of Christ, have learned in this matter. Many religions, but specifically those of Eastern philosophy, depend wholly on themselves to EARN salvation. That alone would be stressful all in itself since people can never be "good" through their own efforts to attain son-ship with God.  The OPT's efforts to achieve, reach, obtain, acquire, bring about, effectuate, or accomplish enlightenment (Nirvana) are never ending and are always repeated through their belief in reincarnation. Again, self effort cannot get them there! Reincarnation allows them a get-out-of jail card and never allows them to face failure, or admit sin. If they ever acknowledged defeat, they would be forced to accept there is a God bigger than they whom they need to achieve the peaceful happiness they fight all their reincarnated live(s) to find. Jesus told the world, "It is appointed unto man to die ONCE, then comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Notice two important words? APPOINTED and ONCE. Your death has been designated and it only happens once!

On the other side of the coin, Christians:

Know we are loved unconditionally by the Creator of the Universe (1 John 4:19)

Know we have a purpose because He created us on purpose, for a purpose (Proverbs 16:4)

We get a new identity. We become a new person with Jesus living in our hearts (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We are freed from fear. He gives us a spirit of power, love, and a SOUND MIND (2 Timothy 1:7)

We have the way to heaven. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

He takes care of our needs. He provides all of our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19)

We are completely forgiven. He has buried all our sins, to remember them no more. We've been pardoned (Micah 7:19)

We are given guidance. He shares His wisdom with us through His Holy Spirit and we recognize those messages (Romans 12:1-2)

We are protected from evil. Bad things can happen but He ultimately gets justice for those who believe (Ecclesiastes 3:17)

We are set free from addictions, vices, and behaviors that weigh us down (Romans 6:18)

We experience peace that by passes all human understanding (Philippians 4:7)

We are given eternal life to live with Him in heaven just for believing Him. (John 3:16-17)

Our salvation is a free gift we cannot earn earn by ascending upward in stages to improve our own condition (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Christians pray to and meditate ON GOD, His goodness, His Word, and our intimate relationship with Him. We never use meditation as a means of awakening or liberation from ignorance or defilement (only Jesus has liberation power over sin/defilement not mortal man), nor do we believe in reaching salvation or 'perfection of self' by ascending up levels to attain enlightenment (Nirvana) through multiple reincarnations. You cannot get there by your own, flawed, nature! That is basically a self-serve salvation because you have to keep trying. There is no salvation outside of Christ (Acts 4:12). Our meditation consists of these: We believe "whatever things are true, just, nobble, pure, lovely, of good report, if there is any virtue, or anything praiseworthy we think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).  Under the banner of Christianity it takes mere seconds to receive the free-gift of salvation not thousands of attempts and certainly not dozens of reincarnations as in the religions of Eastern philosophy. 

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-

JUDGE WITH RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT (John 7:24)

 

It's time to address a very serious mistake made by the world of non believers, pagan religions, followers of philosophical babble, every doctrine of demons, and even Christian apostates. The Spirit of the Lord has urged me to raise my voice with the same unction that cast out the money changers that were in the temple listed Matthew 21:12-13. It isn't often that I am led to speak with such boldness and indignation.  However, today as with Jesus, I am going to knock over chairs and tables driven by a righteous anger and displeasure because of the misuse of a particular scripture constantly being used out of context. It's time to get it straight! The scripture I'm referring to is, “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”

It's ironic how pagans claim they don't believe the bible and yet will quote the bible! How does that work? Quoting the "judge not" scripture is only convenient when it suits their purpose in avoiding the TRUTH which points out the error of their way. They also use it when they have no answer to support their views. It's bizarre, it's as if suddenly they have some sort of biblical knowledge or insight into the same book they claim they don't believe. I am so incredibly tired of hearing, “Judge not, and you will not be judged” as a defense mechanism from the same non believers that hate Jesus or at the very least believe He is a myth and His Word laughable. This verse in the Bible is right up there with John 3:16 and Psalm 23, as one of the most recognized passages in all the Bible by people who have never gone to church, studied the Bible, or even worse call God's Word "out of touch," "old fashion," or "not applicable today."  

Indeed, pagans seem to quote this verse a lot.  And when they do, they say it with confidence and boldness while never understanding the true meaning of this verse. So, what is going on? Well, quite simply, when pagans shake their finger at Christians saying, ‘judge not,’ they believe that this verse prohibits the Christian from judging anyone in any sense.  According to their logic, since Jesus is speaking these words, ‘not judging’ is a holy attribute of Jesus.  For them, Jesus never judged but was only about gushy love and acceptance. And so, to the point; this verse about not judging is quoted back to Christians to infer that judging is a sin. Now, is judging a sin? If it is, then Jesus was full of sin because He certainly judged. Remember that time in the Bible where Jesus told a group of people they were a bunch of hypocrites (Matthew 23:27)? Remember that time where Jesus accused the Pharisees and Sadducees of being full of arrogant stupidity (Matthew 16:1-12)? Do you remember that one time Jesus called the religious elite offspring of the devil (John 8:44)?

I bet the majority of pagans, if any, aren't aware of these "judgments" made by Jesus, or His outburst of anger with moneychangers. In each verse above, Jesus didn't just call them out as hypocrites, void of knowledge, or of their father the devil, He quoted scriptural reasons why they fell under these labels. Pagans conveniently avoid the portions of the Bible where Jesus judges, as well as the other 42 times where Jesus talks about hell. Contrary to what Pagans say, Christians are certainly called to judge but only with RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT. Keyword here: 'righteous.' Righteous judgment means not according to the flesh but according to the spirit. If any Christian judges what a person wears, what he drinks, how he looks, or makes a physical assessment of some kind then they are judging according to the flesh. A Christian cannot assume intentions either. However, as an example, if you tell me straight-up you are a Satanist, that you're a homosexual, that you're cheating on your spouse, or that your religious beliefs are anti-biblical, I am allowed to share God's WORD regarding those matters in an effort to open your eyes to error. 

If you know someone is in danger of losing their soul and you share a scripture to show them what God has said, that is righteous judgment because it is what God has said and is not your words, assumptions, or suggestions. It is judgment according to the spirit and should always be done with love and compassion. Even though pagans often quote the words of Jesus to “judge not,” Christians are instructed to judge RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT. But how do we make sense of all of this, especially Jesus saying, “Judge not?”  How do we understand Jesus’ words? We study, we seek, we ask, we pray, we meditate on God's Word for divine wisdom and knowledge. How can pagans, non-believers, agnostics, believers in philosophies, ideologies, those that adhere to doctrines of demons, even atheists and so forth know anything about these instructions when they reject the entirety of the Word of God in the first place?

Let's get to righteous judgment. What is righteous judgment and where does it say as a Christian I am allowed to judge? People will tell you, "You can't judge me only God can judge me!" Listen closely!! The Bible teaches that God is a righteous judge. So yes, only God can judge. BUT WAIT. According to the Bible, you must read it carefully ... 1 John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was nothing made that was made." Then in verse 14 of the same chapter it says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." So what is this saying? What am I saying? Let's break it down.

1. In the beginning was THE WORD

2. The WORD WAS GOD

3. THE WORD (God) became flesh (became the man in human form; Jesus)

4. He (Jesus) lived among the disciples (as a man but sinless)

5. The disciples said "HE" (Jesus) WAS TRUTH and He was full of grace

Let's break it down even further:

6. God was and is the righteous WORD embodied in Jesus. 

7. God was in the beginning and since God was the WORD in the beginning, and only GOD can judge as we've determined. HIS WORD IS THE JUDGE. THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE. 

8. When that same WORD is spoken and quoted by Christ's followers/believers it becomes the righteous judgment against sin, rebellion, lies, error, confusion, iniquity, transgressions, wickedness, immorality, wrong-doing, lawful violations, deceit, disobedience, and vices even though it is spoken out of the mouth of a believer! It is God's WORD regardless, not the believers words.

So, in reality, it is the spoken WORD that judges our actions and behavior against itself not the Christian who repeats the WORD. Not only does the WORD instruct believers to speak this same WORD to a dying world, blinded and ignorant of the sin and idolatry that imprisons them, but God spoke His WORD in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that we (followers of Jesus) "ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS." Meaning, if we (as believers in Christ Jesus) speak and repeat the WORD OF GOD against sin and error, IT IS GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT being spoken or repeated off our lips from the Holy Spirit within us. Therefore, it is JUDGING RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT as we are given instruction to do! Christians represent the spoken WORD, we aren't the spoken Word. We represent Christ in the world. We aren't Christ Himself. We represent His righteous voice. Christians are not personally judging anyone, THE WORD is. Christians are simply repeating the words of God as a warning or corrective measure as instructed by Jesus to go out into the world with His gospel message.

I will leave you with this final thought regarding judgment.

If you admit to me that you are engaged in an adulterous affair and I say, "You're going to hell for your sin" that's judging you because there is no way for me to know you're going to go to hell. Why? You might turn to the Lord years down the line and be saved. However, if you admit to me that you are engaged in an adulterous affair and I ask, "Did you know scripture says (or the Lord says) in 1 Corinthians 6: 9-12 that adulterers will not inherit the Kingdom of God" and I do not place a decree or judgment you're going to hell BUT I SIMPLY REPEAT God's Word that speaks to the error of your way ... I am not personally condemning or assuming you're going to hell. I am merely judging RIGHTEOUS judgment by speaking what has been written for over 2,000 years. One is an accusation, the other is a question in an effort to make you think.

It's no different than me saying, "Did you know you're not supposed to enter that store without a shirt or shoes on" and you question, "Why not?" And I say because there is a sign on the door that says, 'no shirt no shoes no service.' And though it sounds like I'm telling you what you can or can't do (I'm not, it's the store telling you) I am merely pointing what's already a rule to try and keep you out of trouble because I tried it once and suffered a severe fine. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

A Lesson From Ephesians 6:12

 

Picture this: A guy is floating downstream on a raft on a hot summer day. He’s having the time of his life, enjoying the ride as the cool water gently splashes on him. You’re on the shore and you know that there’s a deadly waterfall not far downstream. This guy is floating blissfully and ignorantly toward certain destruction! So you yell to warn him. You throw him a rope. But he rejects it and keeps floating toward certain death. Why won’t he grab the life preserver? Because he loves what he’s doing and he doesn’t want to believe your warning. In the same way, people reject God’s wonderful offer of salvation through Jesus Christ? Why? You would think that everyone would eagerly grab the life preserver that God has thrown out through the gospel (John 3:16): “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting l life.” Perish? I don't know about you but when my mother-in-law offered that same message including the word perish I was curious.

Why would anyone reject such a wonderful offer? Why would anyone want to keep heading for eternal destruction?  Because people don’t want God interfering with what they consider “a good time,” and they don’t believe the warnings of Scripture that they are under God’s judgment (sin separates us from God) and will face it eternally when they die. People think that they’re basically good and because of that, God will overlook their faults and give them credit for their good deeds on judgment day. This results in the fact they don’t repent of their sins and believe Jesus Christ is the only life preserver available to save them from God’s judgment. Question. Have you ever warned a friend of danger or a precarious situation because you made that bad decision yourself and know its consequences? 

1) "Don't go down Copper hill. The road is washed out at the bottom"

2) "Take lots of water with you.  The seats you bought are directly in the sun"

3) "Don't walk your dog at night there has been an increase of coyote attacks after dawn"

4) "Don't book a room at the Sunshine Inn. Their rooms are filthy"

Warnings. These are examples of warnings. Would you heed them by blind faith without checking them out first? Most likely if if any of these warnings applied to you, you would probably listen, hear, act. . This is why Christians warn: God said you are lost without Jesus and need to turn back toward Him to be saved. Saved from what? The penalty of sins you've committed throughout your life and from an eternal existence (after death) void of God. It will be a living hell. Literally. No sin can dwell in heaven, so how can you enter heaven without Jesus' pardon? Granted, some believers may not have the perfect presentation or delivery but their messages and intentions are the same ... there is danger ahead unless you stop, listen, and turn back from an unmistakable, destructive ending. We've all been floating down river. Some listen and have passed from death to life and still others ignore the gospel message and blissfully float downstream.

Satan’s major success, in deceiving a nation, is due to a lack of discernment on the part of the people. People are blind to the invisible forces of supernatural evil that are operating and influencing human agents of political, social, religious and philosophical programs. Satan’s greatest victory would be to convince the world that he just doesn’t exist. However, God signifies the devil as the author of sin, sickness and death, and warns us to be alert and vigilant because the devil, as a roaring lion roams about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter. 5:8) It is Satan’s purpose to deceive as many as he can and to keep them from obtaining a knowledge of God’s truth and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. In the book of Revelation, chapter 20, Satan is depicted as a deceiver of nations. The Greek word for deceive is planaho, and according to Strong’s Greek Dictionary, this word means to “cause to roam from safety, truth or virtue, go astray, seduce, wander, and to be out of the way.” OR... floating blissfully down the river!

The Bible clearly tells in Ephesians 6:12, "For we (humans) wrestle not against flesh and blood (other humans), but (the real battle is...) against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

WE WRESTLE! WITH WHAT? NOT FLESH AND BLOOD-NOT HUMANS! BUT POWERS. WICKED, DEMONIC, DARK, OMINOUS POWERS.

Principalities:  The concept of "principalities" is understood by the Greek word "arche" meaning chief or ruler in my concordance. These principalities/powers/rulers of darkness/ and wickedness in high places are ruling demon spirits that possess human executive authority or governmental rule in the world.  This ruling power usually involves a particular nation, individual people, or race. The minds of people become their puppets through deception and then a person acts accordingly. Look around at our ruling government and tell me you can't see the uncharacteristic, diabolical behavior of the humans there. Consider the different religions, philosophies, and various belief systems that steer you away from God to the worship of self with no need of God. Do you really believe those mind sets are sanctioned by God if they teach YOU ARE God or that you can ascend to become a god? Satan is the one who wanted to exalt himself to a position of GOD ..."I will ascend above the height of the clouds, I will be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14). What religions can you think of that teach that same ideology where you "ascend" higher and higher by stages until you reach enlightenment?

This is the very reason the bible instructs in Romans 12:2, "“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." It speaks nothing of ascending in stages! Only the pure, complete, absolute, unadulterated truth of God's Word can safely and permanently transform your thinking, which in turn changes bad behavior.  And all the the lessons and knowledge are free, right there within the pages of God's Word. Satan's greatest attacks will always be against our minds. He can and does attack our bodies with illness and disease, but his bigger target is our mind with: depression, worry, hopelessness, sadness, mood-swings, stress, confusion, deception, etc. The greatest of these is deception and it holds you prisoner. Satan’s greatest victory would be to convince you that he just doesn’t exist. Has he succeeded to this point in your life? God warns us to be alert and vigilant because the devil, as a roaring lion roams about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Do you understand the warning yet? Even in this blog? Do you realize without Jesus to forgive you of your sins you are in serious trouble? You're floating down a river enjoying your life of sins, sexual immorality, lies, idols, false religions, philosophies, and ignoring all the danger signs that you're headed for a deadly consequence. Jesus offers the life preserver you need that will renew your mind and transform you into a new creation, free of sin and guilt. If you have ignored God's offer to save you, it's never to late to come willingly. Won't you hear my voice today?   As Christians we are delivered from the power of the prince of the air, and from the sinful nature that once ruled our path in life. When we received God’s Holy Spirit, at the moment of our conversion to Christ, we were translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God’s light, in which we now have God in Christ in us. We are continually delivered and empowered by God as we walk according to His Word and Spirit that He has given us. As we do this, we take our seat in the heavenlies with Christ.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

TRUTH VS ERROR

 

THERE IS A CLEAR WARNING IN THE BIBLE in 1 John 4:1-5 NOT ADDRESSED TO THE WORLD OR TO OTHER RELIGIONS, BUT TO EVERY CHRISTIAN BELIEVER which reads:  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." There is a simple, straight forward message in this one verse. It is saying, the disciples WERE OF GOD (the spirit of truth) and those that heard them and followed their leading WERE OF GOD as well, but those who would not hear and follow what the disciples were teaching could be identified as (the spirit of error) those people adhering to any belief system outside of the one true God. Anything, therefore, outside of biblical instruction then and including now, is a false belief system led by a false prophet, false teacher, false advisor, or a false minister. 

As Christians, we believe that there is One Truth -GODS TRUTH- and that God has revealed His Truth to us THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD, the Bible, the same Word the disciples spoke and WERE OF GOD. Non-Christians, particularly those of today involved in New Age thought, find this truth deeply offensive. I have encountered this on a few occasions over the years. Believers are often accused of arrogance for claiming they have the Truth as taught by Jesus' disciples. Those outside the Christian faith often present their truth as silent and passive, waiting to be yet discovered. The Bible is in sharp opposition to this concept! The first and central thing which we know about God is that He speaks and that His speech is truth (John 6:63). Period! As believers in God's Word, when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) it leads us to Truth, written on our hearts as a testament of the resurrected Christ, the living Word of God. People all over the world have very similar experiences. Everyone is aware of his or her own existence, as well as of a reality outside themselves. Most people in the world – in the whole history of the world – have believed that originally reality was perfect, and that something has gone terribly wrong so that it is not perfect as it was once enjoyed. I hold that belief. We are thus in need of an accurate picture which encompasses both what went wrong in the world and how the problem is to be remedied.

I want to look at the 'New Age' movement in particular (spirit of error) that includes a range of beliefs and practices based on Buddhism and Taoism, and why it is gaining popularity among a decaying, decadent, society. According to 1John 4:1-5 Christians are suppose to "try the spirits to see if they are of  God." So okay, let's do that. Let's look at the spirit behind Buddhism. First of all, Buddhists hold to the belief everything is one according to their philosophy. This idea is very powerful and attractive, because if everything is one, then everyone is god. To enjoy a state of peace, according to these new age thinkers they must meditate. They need to empty their thoughts, examine their thinking, and find their true self. This is a main function of psychiatry by the way! Buddhists are not to think in terms of what is right and what is wrong. There are no absolutes in this philosophy. Followers examine their thoughts and their minds and embark on a journey of self discovery that they might be at one with nature and with themselves. This practice is very similar to transcendental meditation practiced by the Eastern Religions. One finds peace with the Universe by making peace with oneself and then become tuned into the spirit of the universe around them. For many, within this worldview seems to be perfect peace and perfect unity. There is no conflict or disagreement ... I cannot hate you when I am a part of you, right? Hinduism and Buddhism’s doctrines of karma and reincarnation are necessary to support this basic doctrine of unity. In Christianity, it isn't Buddhist "karma" rather it is our God that exacts judgement for wrongs done as His Word tells us GOD states, "Revenge is mine," saith the Lord, "I will repay." And the Buddhist belief in Reincarnation doesn't exist in Christianity either for Hebrews 9:27 says, "It is APPOINTED unto man to die once, then after that comes the judgment." So the spirit of truth testifies, God is the "shofet" (judge in Hebrew) not karma, and the spirit of truth also testifies WE DIE ONCE, not many times to return as a god, demi-god, human, animal, ghost, or creature from hell as the Buddhist adhere to.

New Age thought is a religious belief system that doesn’t see man as a being in need of redemption but is a god unto himself because the religion does not even believe in God or a higher deity! They reject the disciples witness and refuse to hear... "he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." According to them man is his own god. Hmm. I wonder then, who set the stars, sun, moon, and planets in place? Buddha?? Without the spirit of truth, one can see the attraction a person might have to a self-righteous belief centered around ones goodness, kindness, and peacefulness. The truth is, that is not true peace. Jesus, the living Word, is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6) and without Jesus one has yet to discover true peace. But who will hear? Who will believe it? 

Unfortunately, we live in such a frantic world. There is an epidemic of poor mental health. Anything which encourages peace and reflection is deemed to be good. But this is an unchristian approach to finding peace. Did you know Buddhism is considered the religion of the mentally ill? Before I continue, I'm not referring to this mental illness as meaning lunatic, rather a illness of mind like our bodies can fall ill and need healing.  Buddhism provides a framework for behavior modification, stress coping, and reduction of depression. Given that Buddhism offers pathways to a perceived temporary happiness, being a Buddhist might help improve an individual's mental health according to psychiatrists but it certainly offers no salvation for the eternal soul. I retired as an office manager for both a psychiatrist and two psychologists. I can affirm the above statement as true. At least 20% of our patient charts showed "Buddhist" under the heading of religious affiliation. There is a reason why so many Buddhist are in psychiatric offices. Their religious philosophy mistakenly teaches that we can find peace within ourselves but according to scripture, is a false, temporary soothing of the mind in order to cope with something we cannot tackle, face, address, or deal with. So I suppose as experts claim, people who are struggling mentally to either cope with depression, stress, pressure, delusion, instability, etc. naturally grasp at any solution they believe will give what they sense as peace of mind. I cannot blame them for seeking a cure for a troubled spirit. It is, however, ironic that despite the fact they cannot manage their own internal problems will yet believe a philosophy that convinces those who cannot manage are their own cure! If you cannot manage yourself, how can you be your own cure? "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8)

The Word of God has a different view of the heart of man. We are told the heart is "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" says Jeremiah 17:9. We all know deep within ourselves our biggest fault is sin: big sin, small sin, perverted sin, hidden sin, deviant sin, etc. One can also see the attraction for a humanistic secular society fashioned around the promise of self-effort. Man believes that he is as god, that humanity is in charge of its own destiny. Therefore a philosophy which encourages us to look inward to find the secrets of life and happiness is very attractive to some. That thinking does not condemn, it does not judge, because it won't allow any negative thought into its space though negativity is a day to day reality on this planet. It's a part of life as proven in nature by paired opposites: positive/negative, right/left, up/down, hot/cold/, good/bad, short/tall, light/darkness on and on. This same philosophy rather affirms and confirms without disturbing truthful ideas like sin and repentance. This sounds more attractive than admitting we all have sinned  and fall short of that perfection and peace in God's glory (Romans 3: 23-24), that we all want and hope to find, doesn't it?  After all, no one wants to admit or face the deep, dark, recesses of sins we have committed hoping they remain obscure from others. Buddhism teaches in order to be enlightened, one has to stop hating – but he or she also has to stop loving, as well. That's right. You have to stop relating. Buddhists will never speak of the love of the Buddha. They will rather speak of the compassion of the Buddha. “Compassion” is a desire, a sympathy to help you toward oneness. But love is a recognition of who you are as an individual, thus it is not tolerated. The spirit of truth says, "GOD IS LOVE" (1John 4:8) but then, Buddhists do not believe in God, do they?

I cannot fathom a philosophy that requires me to deny the experience of myself to be able to transcend. That isn't even logical and again makes one a god unto themselves. The Bible, however, says that I can come to Jesus just as I am! Totally: I bring my body, my mind, my emotions, my work, my creativity, my uniqueness, my weaknesses, my failures and my sins ... everything just as I am. I begin with the whole of who I am, and every aspect of my being is saved in Christ Jesus in a moment of repentance and acceptance without having to spend a lifetime to earn acceptance, gradual elevation, or transcendence to Nirvana. Again, these self-effort religions (and that's what they are, self-effort) makes one a god unto themselves. Without GOD, without the spirit of truth, we can never reach true peace or true perfection. The scriptures say, "There is only one God and you shall have no other gods before me"- INCLUDING YOURSELF- (the 1st of 10 commandments). In the "do it yourself religions" you are required to abandon your body, your mind, your individuality, and your relationships. It takes more faith to believe in this worldview than in the Bible. Why? Because the Bible gives a true absolute. New Age philosophies do not.

So, you are left with two choices: one is truth and one is a lie: One believes you are accepted just as you are and one that says you must earn your way and if you don't you'll be sent back again and again until you figure it out which could in all probability take eons since you have to overcome your karma and destructive emotions. AGAIN, this is a description of a religion/belief/philosophy requiring YOU to be a god unto yourself where you must EARN "heaven. What "god" would actually have to achieve or earn anything if they are a god? If you are god to begin with, why are you working to be a god?

In the faith of Christianity as revealed in Scripture, God Himself enters into the creation and becomes a part of it because He is both fully God and fully man (Jesus), He has the power to perform an act that is so totally and completely other-centered that it provides the basis and power for anyone who hears, accepts, and believes in this act to become a new person, to be born again with another-centered identity. And that is salvation. Why? Because of the Crucifixion. This totally other-centered act of Jesus , death is swallowed up in victory and we have the power to become sons of God and to be completely reoriented from our sinful, self-centered death to other-centered life. For Christians, our first and primary response to eastern mysticism in all its forms is to preach the Gospel clearly (the spirit of truth), without compromise. The exclusive Gospel of salvation through Christ alone remains the only hope for the world (John 16:13). We also respond by attributing every problem in the world to our sin, to the curse which was inflicted by God because of our sin. This is not a world of heavy rainfall, of obscene heat, of freezing climates, of forest fires, of severe hurricanes because we have it within our gift to change it. The world is the way it is because it is cursed. We live in a fallen world and we are fallen creatures, but not without hope! We were given a way out because of the sacrifice Jesus made for you.

Finally, I remind the followers of Christ, we ought to disengage from every activity that is pagan in its origin. The scriptures are clear on this; astrology, fortune telling, yoga, these mindfulness therapies commit us to a worldview that is not biblical. The children of Israel were solemnly taught not to be like other nations (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). That remains the same for us today, the church body. He that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." 

Until He Comes

-Pat-

Persecution

 

PERSECUTION

Imagine you are in the market for a new car. You visit the dealer and the salesman who is showing you the latest model takes you for a test drive. As you turn out of the parking lot, he launches into his sales pitch: "Three hours in this car," he says, "and your back will be so out of joint, you will need physical therapy to walk upright again! The cost of repairs alone will put my children through college. And when you drive it down the street, every head will turn, because everyone who sees you will be laughing at you." Nobody who wanted to make a sale would say such a thing. It doesn't make much sense. Which makes you wonder what Jesus was thinking when he uttered this final beatitude in Matthew 5:10: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." If this is a sales pitch, it's not a very good one! But Jesus isn't making a sales pitch in this beatitude. He is offering a word of comfort to disciples who will be persecuted because of Him. He knows that no one, at least no normal person, likes being persecuted.

Jesus tells us we should rejoice over rejection. WHY?? Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted" verse 10. Then, in verse 11, he says, "Blessed are you." To those who are already suffering persecution, Jesus says, "Don't be discouraged;" to those who have yet to face persecution, He says, "Don't be surprised." In saying these things, Jesus serves notice to His disciples. Those who follow Him faithfully should expect to experience a measure of rejection. Notice that Jesus doesn't say, "Blessed are you "if" people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you." No, He said, "Blessed are you WHEN people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you." There is a tone of inevitability here. 

Jesus' words imply that opposition is an inescapable consequence of discipleship or following Him faithfully. How many times have you been rejected when sharing Jesus words from the Bible? How many times have people closed their ears and shook their head as if to say, you fool!? How many people do you know or have heard that talked behind your back? Who has openly made fun of you or indicated your "journey" through Christ is off-base? Who has ever made fun of you for your loyalty to God's Word as it is written? How many times have you had derogatory names yelled at you because you are a Christian? How many times have people accused you of judging them when you've simply repeated words that were written over 2,000 years ago by God Himself that they claim to be bunk, yet they will believe philosophies of Buddha spoken as far back as 483 BC? Perhaps there have even been others who defriended you on social media because you expressed your devotion to the scriptures? When people slam the proverbial door in your face, rejecting Biblical truths, they slam the door in Jesus' face, not yours. We must remember that! After all, you are not offering your truth, opinion, religion, philosophy, or ideology as various religions and new age philosophies do. In reality, they are rejecting God's truth and offer of salvation not any personal message of yours. " The sum of your word is truth" Psalm 119:160.  When you witness the Word of God and people get uncomfortable, it isn't really that person who is uneasy with you but a spirit within them that is uneasy and fearful of God's truth. People don't even realize they are prisoners of spirits within them. This is why we must forgive them because they are overcome by all sorts of angels of darkness who blind them just as we once were lost but now found.

Take heart! Jesus said the world would be this way. If people called Jesus the prince of demons, imagine what they will say about you. We shouldn't take it personally; we shouldn't grow discouraged. Jesus said those who are rejected for his sake should rejoice. In this sense, rejection is a mark of God's acceptance—evidence that people have caught a glimpse of Christ in us. Our faith doesn't necessarily make it any less painful. It's only natural for us to want to be accepted. But Jesus' point is clear: if we are faithful in following Christ, we can expect opposition and yes, persecution. It may even come from those who are closest to us. Rejection is a mark of blessing only when it is for the sake of righteousness: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness," Jesus says. When does Jesus say that insults, persecutions, and slander are a reason to rejoice? When it's for His sake! There is great reward, He says—but not here. There is acceptance—but not here. There is honor—but not here.

Those who are persecuted are not paid for their troubles, they are blessed. Verse 12 says, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." Jesus doesn't describe the nature of the reward, but He does offer proof. You know your reward is great because others have gone before you. Verse 12 goes on to say, "for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Conclusion: For most of us those who are persecuted this blog is a reminder that this world is not our home. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

A SEARED MINDSET

 

No one can destroy iron, but its own rust can, likewise no one can destroy a person, but his own mindset can. Look at the following scripture from Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

In the scripture above, what do you think God meant by renewing our minds and how can renewing the mind transform us? You've heard the expression 'you are what you eat'? Well, YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK as well. There are two mindsets: the one you learned by observation, education, life experiences, and entertaining thoughts which then become actions and in my analogy today, I'll call rust. Then there is a spiritual mindset: one that will guide your feet in making better decisions, forming godly opinions, one that fills you with holy desires and purposes.  Jesus challenged people to change their thinking (by renewing your mind-Romans 12:2) knowing if we change our thinking and clean out the rust, our behavior will follow.

If our mind doesn't change, we will simply follow what our body/flesh wants and that is not always good.. What you think, you do. What you believe in your mind becomes your fundamental knowledge, but not only that, it becomes your individual reality no matter how off, crazy, careless, foolish, ill-advised. or irresponsible it is. Even Buddha himself said, "What you think, you be come. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine you create." Buddha's words are logical. Look at the present time, it is not difficult to distinguish a crazy mind-set from a responsible, steady, more revered mind set. As Christians, we cannot follow what the flesh wants if those things are not in line with Gods Word. The 'woke group' is an excellent example of this. The "Woke" have a fundamental, misguided knowledge, while those Christians who are "AWAKE," have a spiritual mindset and are aware of the enemy's deception and ideologies used to avert Biblical truth.

We can either nurture a carnal, natural. woke, rusted, mindset or a transformed, spiritual, rust-free mindset. The world will always pressure us to live sinfully and selfishly, but to live the good life God wants from us requires changing how we think by cleaning out the rust!  Again, your thoughts determine your behavior. Changing the way you think will create a life that God honors. That transforming mind-change begins with reading and soaking in The Word of God. God gave us His Word to specifically cleanse and sanctify us, as Ephesians 5:25 states, "that He might sanctify and cleanse it (His Church, His believers, His followers, His chosen, His Bride) with the washing of water BY THE WORD." (emphasis mine). His Word, the holy scriptures, repairs your thoughts and patterns that resulted in a broken life. Look how Jesus reminds us of the importance of this change:

*Ephesians 4:22-24, “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

*Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

*Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

*2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

A Natural mindset operates according to a human-centered mindset, but the Spiritual mindset operates according to a Christ-centered mindset. The Spiritual mindset has the ability to respond to the will and desires of God. But the natural mindset finds itself at odds with the will of God. This is the difference that faith in Christ and His written Word makes. It is a change on the inside! It is a change of heart as well as a change of desire and a change of mind. In short, the Natural mindset operates according to a human-centered mindset and heart, but the Spiritual mindset operates according to a Christ-centered mindset and heart. Changing from a natural mindset to a spiritual mindset is not as quick and that's okay. Think, what if all the fundamentals you were taught in grade school were all wrong? How long would it take to adapt and modify everything you were told as a child wasn't true? How long would it take for you to learn it? What if you were told your method of math calculations is wrong? What if you were told we have 3 moons and 2 earths? You would accept it right away without study or research? What if the language you speak was the wrong language and now you must learn, read, write, and understand Old Latin? It wouldn't happen overnight. Learning about God and His Word is endless, however, once you give your life and mind to knowing Him, He opens up the scriptures and understanding becomes easy, even to the point of asking yourself, "Why didn't I see that before?

Paul didn’t take long in his letter to the Corinthians before he began addressing the problems which arose from the conflict between the natural and the spiritual. Paul makes a sharp contrast with the Philosophy and wisdom of this culture. For all of its words of human wisdom and understanding, “the world did not know God through wisdom.” In fact, the wisdom of the world looked at the message of salvation through the death of Christ on the cross and his resurrection as utterly foolish. The Natural mindset rejects the “foolishness” of the gospel  (1 Corinthians 1:18), “For the word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing.” Let that sink in. If you think the Bible is a book of gobbledygook, a fairy take, written by man, a joke, nothing but foolishness, then you are perishing without a new, biblical mindset. I was once perishing! I once thought the Bible was too hard to understand and I wanted nothing to do with it. Besides, I believed the natural mindset that told me if I read or followed the Bible I would become a prude and live a boring life where pleasure and fun would be stripped away and if I disobeyed God at any point along the way He would cast me into hell.

How wrong I was! God has since opened my eyes to how loving, patient, forgiving, and merciful He is. The natural mindset adopts the thought that God is not needed, or, even more subtly, just a little help from God is all that is needed. This is the mindset that believes God is secondary, that God is optional, that God is a crutch, that God’s ways and God’s will are not the best, that humans know better than God. 

The gospel of God is received by revelation, not by human natural understanding, It is God's gift by His grace alone, that we are able to understand it and clean out the rust, transforming us into His family. Otherwise, we as humans could brag about what we have. We must turn our hearts to Him, submit our minds to Him, so that He will transform us into the spiritual people he has called us to be. His invitation is out there. Revelation 22:17, " And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." NO ONE CAN DESTROY YOU BUT YOUR OWN RUSTED MINDSET CAN.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

The Seared Conscience. What is it?

Our conscience is God's built-in warning system. Did you know the Bible speaks of a 'seared' conscience in 1 Timothy 4:2? The conscience is the God-given moral consciousness within each of us (Romans 2:15). If the conscience is “seared”—literally “cauterized”—then it has been rendered insensitive. Such a conscience does not work properly; it’s as if “spiritual scar tissue” has dulled the sense of right and wrong. Just as the hide of an animal scarred with a branding iron becomes numb to further pain, so the heart of an individual with a seared conscience is desensitized to moral pangs. We can be happy when it hurts us, but very worried when it doesn't! 

When we continue to turn away and ignore sound Biblical truth and the instruction of Gods voice over months and years on end, we make it harder each time for the Spirit of God to speak and reach us. Our conscience becomes "seared." Paul identifies those who have a seared conscience in 1 Timothy 4:1–2: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” Notice! The God-given voice through moral consciousness within each of us slowly fades, but not the voice of deceiving spirits taught by demons. That's unnerving. 

In Timothy's passage, we learn three things about false teachers who lead others into apostasy: 

 1) they are mouthpieces for evil spirits, since they declare “things taught by demons” 

2) they are hypocritical liars, since they wear a mask of holiness but are full of falsehood 

3) they are unscrupulous, since their consciences have been cauterized. 

This explains much. How can false teachers lie with no shame and spread deception with no remorse? Because they have seared consciences. They are past feeling that lying is wrong. Earlier in the epistle, Paul speaks of the “good conscience” as opposed to the seared conscience. “Advancing God’s work,” he says, comes by faith, and love “comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:4–5). A good conscience has the capability to tell right from wrong and is free from guilt. A person with a good conscience maintains his integrity. He enjoys fellowship with those who “walk in the light, as [Jesus] is in the light” (1 John 1:7). 

The lies of the devil are repugnant and offensive to the one with a good conscience. Rather than follow the lies of apostates, he will “fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18–19). Proverbs 6:27 asks a rhetorical question to illustrate the consequences of adultery: “Can a man scoop fire into his lap / without his clothes being burned?” To paraphrase the question in relation to false teaching, “Can an apostate dispense the fiery lies of hell without his conscience being seared?” Sin has an effect on our conscience too. Because sin causes hearts to grow hard, especially continual and unrepentant sin. Now we know that “if we confess our sins, [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9). However, if we don’t confess our sins, they have a cumulative and desensitizing effect on the conscience, making it difficult to even distinguish right from wrong! And this sinful and hardened heart is equivalent to the “seared conscience” Paul speaks of it in 1 Timothy 4:1–2. 

Scripture makes it clear that if we relentlessly continue to engage in sin, there will come a time when God will give us over to our “debased mind” and let us have it our way. The apostle Paul writes about God’s wrath of abandonment in his letter to the Romans where we see that godless and wicked “men who suppress the truth” are eventually given over to the sinful desires of their hardened hearts (Romans 1:18–24). Combine a hardened heart with a seared conscience, and that makes for one really blind person who doesn't even know how miserable they are. Sin has them in a false world of contentment and pleasure. Here is a personal testimony worth watching.

  Until He Comes. -Pat-

Imputed Righteousness (part 1)

 

Part 1  Imputed Righteousness

There are many in the Christian faith today who believe they are covered in the imputed righteousness of Jesus and that somehow God no longer sees them when they sin. All the meanwhile God sees them exactly as they are. Nothing is hid from His Omniscient eye but all things are exposed to Him.  Many call themselves Christian who believe they are right with God while they choose to continue in their sin. Read that carefully. I said they CHOOSE TO REMAIN in sin. They will use excuses to comfort themselves by saying things like, "I am righteous before God in my position with Christ even though I am unrighteous in my practice." Or in modern terms you could say, "I am allowed to continue in my adulterous affair, I am allowed to continue in my homosexual affair, I am allowed to continue getting drunk with my friends on weekends, or I am allowed to continue prostituting my body for extra cash because God has forgiven all my sins so I can live as I am." No, no, and no! The apostle John refuted this whole idea when he said this, "Little children, let no man deceive you. He that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous 1John 3:7. (operative word, does). He that DOES ethical conduct. 

Be patient with me. This will become more clear as you move along.

So the idea that you can be righteous in your position in Christ while you purposely remain unrighteous in your practice according to the Apostle John is a deception. Jesus did not sacrifice His own life so that believers could just CONTINUE TO PRACTICE UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (sin). Jesus died so that we could practice righteousness. As the apostle Paul said in Romans chapter 8:3, "God sending His own Son, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit." So Jesus Christ came that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us." He came and through His Spirit within us HAS GIVEN US THE SAME POWER Jesus had to avoid, walk away from, and overcome sinning when we walk in the Spirit. Revelation 3:21, "To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. We can overcome the desire to commit and continue in any particular sin through the Holy Spirit if we are truly born again and have truly yielded our lives to the Lord.

Long ago backsliders in Israel were saying this according to Ezekiel 8:12, "The Lord sees us not." And backsliders in the Church today are saying the exact same thing. I have heard people say, "When God looks at me, He doesn't see me. He doesn't see my sin, He sees the righteousness of Christ instead. What I am doing (inferring a continuation) is covered and forgiven." This type of talk/belief ought to be shocking to hear coming from any follower of Christ, and yet, its common place in the Church. Have you heard this said before? Are you one that believes that way of thinking also? This is theological nonsense, which is blatant denial of Gods Omniscience, and is refuted all throughout the Bible. Did Jesus die for your sins and excuse them when you accepted Him as Lord of your Savior? Yes. Does Jesus forgive me after I'm saved and fall into temptation if I'm sorry, repent, and ask forgiveness? Absolutely! It's when you continue to sin habitually when you know better because you don't want to give up a sin or vice that you enjoy. In reality, you are denying the power of the Holy Spirit because regardless of Jesus sacrifice, you/we still have free will to obey or not to obey, to walk in the Spirit or to walk after the flesh. The Lord considers all our works, all our doings (Psalm 33:13-15). "For the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3). And another, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). 

Jesus Christ did not come to mock God or lie about God or to take away His Omniscience. God is not some idiot in the sky who doesn't know what His creation is doing. But when God spoke to the churches in Revelation, He didn't say, 'I look at you and see the perfect, imputed righteousness of Christ, He said, "I know your works. Be zealous therefore and repent." Why would these church goers need to repent? Because though being church-goers, they were living in sin. Those who are unwilling to repent of and turn away from their sins are fooling themselves believing God doesn't even see their sins. These people are deceived believing Christ has done all so they need to do nothing. If that were true, why are we instructed to WALK IN THE SPIRIT and we will not fulfill the lusts of our flesh, or said in another way, bring sin to fruition? The "theology" doctrine of 'imputed righteousness' has been dangerously distorted in our day. Let's stop kidding ourselves. Yes, we become the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, but how can we be considered righteous when we choose to purposely remain in sin and refuse to repent? Again, I'm referring to the professing "Christian" who willfully, repeatedly, and habitually sins because they  think it is hidden from Gods eyes? (end of part 1)

Imputed Righteousness (part 2)

 

Part 2 Imputed Righteousness

In the book of Revelation when God was speaking to the 7 churches, He never once said, 'I see you and I see the perfect righteousness of Christ' OR 'when I look upon you I see the imputed righteousness of Jesus.' Rather, He said, "I know thy works." He wanted those folks to be zealous (enthusiastic) to repent (show remorse or deep regret) for their sin. God in His mercy was extending more patience though church goers were still found sinning ..."I have somewhat against you." He warned each and every one of those churches! Therefore, those in the Church shouldn't comfort themselves in their obstinance, bullheadedness, or stubbornness to repent from their comfortable sin, or comfort themselves in their sin by appealing to imputed righteousness, they should simply repent! But many are trying to replace repentance into holiness with the imputed righteousness of Christ. Jesus speaking, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."  The Scribes and the Pharisees were under the law of Moses, Christians are under the law of Christ and that law of Christ is even more strict than that of the 10 commandments. 

Example:

Old law: You shall not commit adultery

New Testament law: Whosoever even looks upon a women to lust after her has committed adultery already in his heart. How much harder is the second one? Jesus was saying (in context) unless we become pure in heart and obedient in heart we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 

Obedience still plays an important roll in our Christian journey. You don't get saved and then continue life as you once lived especially when God has given you Holy Spirit power at your disposal to walk in newness of life. Again, I'm addressing rebellious, habitual, disobedience, not occasionally falling into sin in a moment of weakness. A Christian man may see a woman pass by where he momentarily lusts after her, maybe even imagining them in bed in his mind in great detail, but then realizes his bad thought, repents, and avoids any more visuals by redirecting his mind somewhere else. Remember my blog on forgiveness. WHAT WE THINK IS WHAT THE BODY WILL DO.  That is a lot different from that same Christian man having that same thought and then purposely pursuing and acting upon his thought with the intention of fulfilling his lust with that woman. Then either before or after he fulfills his sin, excuses his behavior as an acceptable "mistake" (rather than sin) because, well ..."God knows I'm a man and have my needs. Besides, He made me this way, right? So it's not my fault. I am excused because Jesus died for my sins." So in purposeful disobedience he continues this behavior each and every time he is enticed without ever asking the Lord for help, without ever making an effort to walk in righteousness, without ever repenting, without ever being sorry, but instead uses "imputed righteousness" as a free ticket to deliberately and willfully continue living the sin he loves. 

If we repent and believe we are justified by Gods grace and mercy through the atonement of Jesus. We are imputed righteous THROUGH Christ but we do not receive the imputed righteousness OF Christ. That distinction is properly understood when we have a biblical understanding of what imputed righteousness actually is. When a person is imputed righteousness, it simply means their sins are forgiven, they are now thought of as righteous, they are esteemed as righteousness, counted as righteous, reckoned as righteous, considered as righteous...and treated as if they were always righteous, treated as if they were never unrighteous, regarded as righteous and treated as if they were always law abiding citizens. Understand?

This is very important, the word "imputed" does not mean transferred! It's an error to think so because in Romans 2:26 it says when an uncircumcised man is imputed as circumcised that would mean that someone else's circumcision transferred to them, but the obvious meaning of this passage is, even though they are uncircumcised they are treated, regarded, and thought of as if they were circumcised. And in the same way when we are imputed righteous it doesn't mean someone else's righteousness is transferred to us, but even though we have lived un-righteously, we are regarded, treated, and thought of as if we had always been righteous. Again, we do not receive the imputed righteousness OF Christ but rather THROUGH Christ. Biblical imputed righteousness THROUGH Christ is nothing more than forgiveness when your sins are not held against you, " But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputed righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin (Romans 4:5-8) 

Biblical imputed righteousness according to the inspired psalmist, David, and the inspired apostle, John, is when iniquities are forgiven and our sins are covered! Plain and simple. You see, the righteousness of God is the unmerited forgiveness that we receive from Him through the atonement. This of course only occurs when we have a living and obedient faith! When we actually TURN FROM OUR SINS and forsake our wickedness. God only forgives our sins when we repent of our sins. We should be recognizing our sin and repenting/turning from our sin. God only pardons our wickedness when we acknowledge and TURN AWAY from our wickedness. So in closing, no man is imputed righteous, or no man is forgiven WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO PRACTICE UNRIGHEOUSNESS AND WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO INTENTIONALLY LIVE IN SIN. So to say we are imputed by the righteousness of Christ while we are not sorrowful for our sins and continue in them, is to greatly misunderstand what the Bible  teaches regarding imputed righteousness and reveals how as Christians, in reality without change, are naked and exposed before God and in danger of His final judgement. He warned, "I have somewhat against you." It's time to do some inventory Church!

Until He Comes.

-Pat-

DAMAGED (the struggle)

What has happened to you that you cannot forget? Something so unfair, so hurtful, so harrowing, so undeserving, that the memories play relentlessly over and over in your mind? Every experience in life forms memories whether good or bad. They are stored like gigabytes on a hard drive. Those memories affect our feelings, our relationships, our actions and reactions even later into adulthood. Because I worked in the field of mental health I witnessed more than 70% of our patients in the psychiatrist office because of some kind of trauma. They were trauma's that had caused an inability to pardon or acquit the alcoholic parent, the sexual abuser, the dad who abandoned his family, the injustice and offenses at the hands of somebody they trusted, etc. 

For so many, letting go of something traumatic is not easy. Many are chained by the belief, once wronged always wronged which inevitably leads to a chronic distrust. Then in turn can affect how you view yourself and all the relationships in your life! You might find you frequently doubt other people will come through on their obligations, or you may be afraid of getting too close to others or feel suspicious when someone is kind to you. This can continue for years until you realize things aren't becoming good, healthy, or right with the passage of time. Your struggling with crippling emotions such as fighting depression, anger, and low self-worth continue even though the incident(s) that caused the hurt have long passed. You're damaged!

Years of denial, covering up, anti-anxiety medications and therapy have not worked. Now what?

**Your mind yearns to forget. You want to forget. There is no defiance there. 

** Your body agrees if only the mind can get it fixed because the body will follow the mind. What we think we do. 

** Your emotions which you cannot see, touch or hear, have been so wounded so that you cannot seem to move past what has happened to you. DAMAGED.

But even in all this, we must realize according to the gospel we must release those who have harmed us (Matthew 18:21-22; Matthew 6:14-15; Colossians 3:13) but not only because Jesus instructed us but because the pain hurts us not them! When you hold onto unforgiveness, it holds a power over you that controls your ability to heal inwardly. It's important to understand that you can forgive someone, thus freeing yourself, without resuming contact. Depending on the circumstances, you may even need to avoid contact.

Now the question becomes how do we acquit and absolve our abusers? There is a way. A scriptural, sound evangelical, biblical way!   The starting point for healing damaged emotions?...truly, freely accept God's Love and Grace for yourself. It is not earned. You can never do enough to deserve it. You are worthy of God's love and acceptance. Through Jesus Christ, God showed that He understands our suffering. Through Christ, we are loved just the way we are ... damaged. Maybe you feel God does not hear you. You keep striving for acceptance from God and others. But you can never get the acceptance or affirmation you so desperately think you need. I have been healed of everything that I struggled with by coming to Jesus and being saved by Him. I only realized that this cure came through being born-again (John 3:3), and that through the Bible I am helped, encouraged, and am led to sustain this wonderful newness of life. Being born again taught me what love is, what it requires, and thus I was able to completely forgive and pardon my abuser. 

Final thoughts. Seek The One who heals and makes people completely whole. You must seek, no one can do it for you. By His grace He did it for me, He is willing to do it for you too...if you would only ask. I sought out answers by reading the King James Bible...the truth is contained therein. Be saved! Find out about the gospel of your salvation (about Jesus' death, burial and resurrection) Personally, I never knew any of this when I cried out to Him to help me when I had just had enough of living. But He responded and brought me to understand more through the Bible and through the testimonies of many like me who are now saved. Your life will never be the same again. Mine has changed beyond my wildest dreams...finally I am happy!! I pray that you find this joy too.

 Until He Comes,

-Pat-

GRACE

In Christianity we are saved by grace and not by works. What does that mean, saved by grace? First of all, let's establish what it isn't. Most religions of the world base their beliefs on "achieving" or "earning" higher levels as a progressive means or pathway to reach heaven. In other words, the main vehicle to attain heaven is themselves or self reliance. Either they earn their salvation through achievements or strict adherence to certain traditions, believe they can obtain salvation through accomplishing certain levels or degrees of enlightenment until they reach Nirvana, others strive to accomplish man-made goals of goodness set for themselves, and still others believe they reincarnate over and over until they reach liberation through ethical living by meditation or other spiritual practices. 

Religions are a type of theology. They are doctrines that teach salvation is gained through changed behavior, good behavior, good deeds, or benevolence. But true Christianity is a belief that only through Christ and a relationship with Him do we receive salvation as a free gift. We don't earn anything by good behavior, ethical living, achievements, reaching goals, meditative states, or good works.

Christianity is different because of one important thing: GRACE! A grace freely given which is not earned! 

After a person becomes a believer by believing in the sacrifice of Jesus dying on a cross on their behalf, they have been saved and former sins completely forgiven and absolved. They hold the truth that Jesus was the a pure, unspotted, sacrificial lamb whose blood was free of sin and therefore worthy to be offered as our stand-in, our advocate, our propitiation, leading to an unearned and undeserved salvation because of love. We cannot earn heaven through goodness or right living because we are not perfect nor can we obtain perfection in the sense of accomplished goals for "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. We know we are sinners saved by grace. And though saved, we will still fall into sin now and again because we are human with a fallen nature. A key note to true Christianity is, we won’t stay there!

If we slip up, we have the Holy Spirit at work in our lives which makes us actually want to obey God and walk worthy of our calling. A true Christian will always feel led to acknowledge and confess their sin through prayer, then get back up and keep pressing forward. Even so, because of God's grace we are absolved of 'slip-up's. Christians will immediately confess slip-up's/sins not because they think they will be lost if they don’t, but because they want to please the Lord. Christians will avoid sin and make efforts to avoid it through the holy Spirit within them. Isn't that how you feel? I certainly do. My love for God drives me to obey. I want to obey! I feel awful when I disappoint Him. In reality, it is not fear or a set of rules that keep me in line. Fear does not keep me in line. LOVE DOES!  And that because of His grace toward me.

When we follow Jesus, we understand that we owe all to Him and so out of our love for Him and being forever grateful, we also desire to love others as ourselves. We know we are not saved by meditation, adhering to a set of rules, working toward achieving Nirvana, or any self-means.  Rather, we are saved by grace to do "works" as explained in Ephesians 2:10. Those works meaning we seek to do good works in the CHARACTER OF CHRIST for God’s glory, but even still it is not those works that saves us. It’s not our own agenda anymore. We have the joy of living an obedient life and because of Gods love bestowed on us, it's easier. Remember how it felt when you gained victory over some sin in your life, whatever it was? You were set free and there was joy in that! That joy is found in obedience. God takes pleasure when He sees His children living a godly (although, not perfect) life. The Grace that set us free when we came to Christ is the same Grace that literally assists us from even wanting to commit or remain in sin. Sin literally becomes an abhorrence to us. Sin is detestable and disgusting. As believers, it’s not that we’re suddenly sinless, but we discover, looking back over time, do realize we do sin less and that brings joy. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit works! Obedience sets us free to live a joy-filled life, but it’s not a blind obedience or obedience because we dread the circumstances. Obedience flows naturally out of a Spirit-led believer.

Love can show up in simply little things like opening doors for people, letting someone else go first at a four-way stop, and it allows others to speak first not interrupting while they’re talking. It's the little things that begin to blossom in your life which is spiritual fruit! Now this is important because this is how Christianity changes you. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). Grace infiltrates the life of a believer to produce a life of good "works" (which is the named spiritual fruit- Galatians 5:22-23 above) that naturally flow out of a generous, tenderized heart, leading to obedience that comes from Gods power in helping us. We participate with God in a shared relationship. Christianity is a relationship with God. Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” 

When someone says they are saved, yet produce no fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), James says that person’s faith is dead. He is saying, godly fruits are the evidence that your faith is real, so in a sense, obedience is the evidence that our faith is genuine. The definition of earthly works where a person has to strive in some physical way to EARN heaven is r-e-l-i-g-i-o-n. But the definition of works spoken of in the Bible which is evident in the life of a true Christian (and who's salvation is not earned) flow freely from them by God's grace. James connects faith and works by writing, “as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). A person can say they are saved, but if their only production/fruit is bad, then the root is also bad and the whole tree is then useless. Not every person who claims they are a Christian are CHRISTIAN! There is bad fruit among us. If anyone claims to be saved, yet their behavior shows no change, then that prsons faith is dead or, it’s not real. We can’t see the root of a tree or a person, but we can see the fruit, or a lack thereof!  Likewise, we cannot see the roots of a tree but we can identify the tree by the fruit that hangs from its limbs IE: whether it's apple, lemon, grapefruit, pear, peach, etc! Some believers require more time to bear fruit than others just as in nature a peach tree matures faster than an apple tree and peaches will bloom out before apples ever will. Jesus, in speaking of false prophets, said, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16). Recognize them who? The character and behavior of a true believer as opposed to a countrfeit - a person in word only. Look at this scripture, “every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt 7:17-20).

I want to end this blog with a perfect illustration of God's grace I read recently:  

FIRST. Let's say that I go over to your house and I steal your bike. You catch me and I go to jail. That is justice. I got what I deserve.

SECOND. I go to your house and steal your bike. You catch me but you set me free. That is mercy. I did not get what I deserved. 

THIRD. I go to your house and steal your bike. You catch me, but you set me free AND you give me the bike! I got what I did not deserve. So in justice, we get what we deserve.  In mercy, we don't get what we deserve. In grace, we get what we do not deserve. GRACE IS GETTING WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE FROM GOD.  We do not deserve forgiveness of our sins, but He gives it to us through Jesus. We do not deserve to go to heaven, but we are able to do that through Jesus.  So to be saved by grace means that the judgment due to us because of our sins against God (lying, stealing, adultery, fornication, coveting, lusts, hatred, etc.) will not befall us. THAT IS FORGIVENESS! That is the Grace of God without earning it!  Maybe you can use this illustration for other friends or family members that do not realize how glorious and wonderful God's grace really is!  

Until He Comes,

-Pat-