It is quite revealing to compare how much time, effort and money we spend on our outward appearance versus our heart (inward appearance). Think of how much is spent each day on preparing clothes, hair, skin, diet and physique. So much time, so much effort, so much money spent just to look good enough for those around us. How does it compare to the time and effort spent in preparing our hearts for God?
Agape IS “I love you because you are you, because you are God’s creation, made in His image… and that is sufficient for my love”
Agape IS “I will be your friend… and my friendship is free. If there is any price to pay… I will pay it”
Agape IS “God loving you through me”
Though we can, and often do, suffer (poverty, war, alienation) for the sins of our ancestors, we are JUDGED for our own sins. We are not slaves to our History. We can make our own choices and we can choose righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
To measure up, we must exercise all the faith God has given us. If you have been given the faith to move mountains, then move them around… If you have the faith to sweep the church, don’t settle for sweeping a pew. If you have the faith to witness to many, don’t settle for telling a few… God expects us to… attain our full faith potential.
God’s wisdom and knowledge are infinite; the decisions of Almighty God cannot be rationalized by mere man. Who knows enough to argue with God? Who is wise enough to give God counsel?
Is Salvation valuable enough to give up everything to get it?… For Salvation to come to our lives, it must displace everything from our lives… If Salvation means ANYTHING to us, it must be EVERYTHING to us. How much are you willing to lose just to get Salvation? How much is too much to lose to get Salvation?
We keep fighting temptation, because intensely hot and intensively corrosive environments are necessary to produce true diamonds and true saints.
So, as we devote time to draw ever closer to God, this growing bond must also prepare us to better relate to our brother’s needs. And one of those needs is Salvation.
As we go about our lives, making decisions about finances, health, relationships, employment, education and family (to name a few) let us call on our God, let us seek His face, let us search out His will. Life is a struggle and we can’t see all the dangers ahead; it is difficult to know what choices to make. Truly, we have no hope of surviving on our own. But God is faithful: if we live by faith He will make our feet like hinds’ feet so that our steps are assured and we can escape to safety. If we trust in God, He will make our feet surefooted so that we can escape the wiles of the devil.
If we, by faith, accept the God described in the Bible, then we know that nothing can stop God’s overarching will for and in this world. Therefore, every circumstance of life must work together to execute God’s plans. Even the evil that men choose to do cannot escape His inexorable (unstoppable) will from being accomplished. It is only with this understanding that we can have hope rather than despair in the various tragedies, big and small, that beset our lives.
Reflections in The WORD 