newgrowth15
Well-Known Member
As believers, we have been led to believe that we live in the last days before the return of Christ. We have lived this way for 2,000+ years. We are taught to love God, honor our parents and live a good life, among other things. Some believers are living a life of fear and torment, working for their salvation as if they have something to "do" to make their lives holy and acceptable to God. When we read in the scriptures to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling," we must take this in context of who God is and that we must have a healthy reverence and respect for who He is. We must also understand that "it is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13. Once we realize that God created us unto good works and that there is nothing we can "do" to earn our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10), it releases us to truly worship and serve God freely.
We have been given so many scriptures of peace, love and joy (Philippians 4:6-8; Isaiah 26:3-4; 2 Timothy 1:7; just to name a few), but some are taught to focus on doom and gloom. There are a multitude of scriptures that tell us to "fear not" that “God is love” that “God loves us” and that we should “Rejoice” for we serve a risen Savior; yet many live under the cover of fear and judgment all day, thinking that if they don't do this or that, they won't make it into God's kingdom. Don’t hand the devil your joy.
What if Jesus Christ doesn't return for another 1,000 years? What legacy are we leaving for the future generations to come? As Jesus said in Luke 18:8, shall He find faith on earth? Do we practice a vertical faith where we watch and pray or are we constantly looking around at what the “world” is doing and basing our faith on the movements of this world? Whose report will you believe?
Were I to counsel a babe in Christ, I would warn them about the wiles of the devil and to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), but I would have them to focus on the goodness of God, the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the instructions from the Holy Spirit. I would teach them to live a life of thanksgiving and rejoicing. To always look for God’s handiwork in all of their lives, no matter the circumstances and to give Him the glory for all things. I would counsel this new babe to read the Bible for him/her self, to pray without ceasing and to encourage one another in brotherly love. There is so much more I could add, but these are the basics.
I did not intend for this to be as long as it is, but rather to ask a Food for Thought question.
This is not meant as an attack on anyone's beliefs, but rather a plea to "let us reason together..." Isaiah 1:18 and not argue and insult one another.
God bless.
We have been given so many scriptures of peace, love and joy (Philippians 4:6-8; Isaiah 26:3-4; 2 Timothy 1:7; just to name a few), but some are taught to focus on doom and gloom. There are a multitude of scriptures that tell us to "fear not" that “God is love” that “God loves us” and that we should “Rejoice” for we serve a risen Savior; yet many live under the cover of fear and judgment all day, thinking that if they don't do this or that, they won't make it into God's kingdom. Don’t hand the devil your joy.
What if Jesus Christ doesn't return for another 1,000 years? What legacy are we leaving for the future generations to come? As Jesus said in Luke 18:8, shall He find faith on earth? Do we practice a vertical faith where we watch and pray or are we constantly looking around at what the “world” is doing and basing our faith on the movements of this world? Whose report will you believe?
Were I to counsel a babe in Christ, I would warn them about the wiles of the devil and to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), but I would have them to focus on the goodness of God, the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the instructions from the Holy Spirit. I would teach them to live a life of thanksgiving and rejoicing. To always look for God’s handiwork in all of their lives, no matter the circumstances and to give Him the glory for all things. I would counsel this new babe to read the Bible for him/her self, to pray without ceasing and to encourage one another in brotherly love. There is so much more I could add, but these are the basics.
I did not intend for this to be as long as it is, but rather to ask a Food for Thought question.
This is not meant as an attack on anyone's beliefs, but rather a plea to "let us reason together..." Isaiah 1:18 and not argue and insult one another.
God bless.
I hope to be back.
It funnels God's love and guidance straight into our hearts and minds.
