Christians are called to live a life above and beyond the norm, like being kind to people who treat us badly, loving those who do not love us back, and forgiving those who offend us. It isn't easy.
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.
Many years ago a doctor in a large hospital hired me for a secretarial position. My supervisor and others harassed me because the girl who worked there a long time didn't get the job.
Five years later I complained to the union, and my supervisor had to write me a letter of apology. It was a government job.
I transferred to another department, but resentment for that woman robbed me of peace with God.
One day I had to take a report to the same lady. As I reluctantly rode the elevator down, I prayed, "Lord, help me to love her."
I'm always amazed how God can change a heart on the spot. Our pleasant encounter was God's doing as was the grudge boulder that rolled off my shoulders.
When Jesus comes in all His glory He will complete God's plan for the ages.
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Jesus allowed the apostle John to see all the way to the end of time. John remembers what it was like to be with Jesus. He remembers when Jesus saved his soul and how close they were. He remembers the horror of the cross, the thrill of the empty tomb and watching Jesus ascend into Heaven.
So when he hears Jesus say, "Surely, I come quickly," John cries, "Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus!"
Those of us who are born again cling to memories of His grace, His blessings, His presence, and His promises.
"Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus!"
Regardless of whether we are a weak Christian or a strong Christian, there are consequences for the choices we allow or disallow in our lives.
When in doubt, we should ask a couple of questions. Will this honor God or dishonor Him? Can I do this with a clear conscience?
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
With the liberty we have in Christ, we still must test the spirit of these scriptures when doing whatever it is we want to do.
Jesus is Lord, the One we have to please -- our Judge. If we live lives that honor Him, He will lead us in the right direction.
Barnes and Noble offer a huge selection of books telling us how to live, but the Holy Bibly tells us how to live godly in an ungodly world.
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world;
Godly living is forsaking whatever is unlike God and living soberly with self-control, prudence and restraint.
The same grace that redeemed us from sin also reforms our lives and trains us to be the kind of people who glorify Christ. We become His own special possession.
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
A few years ago I left a CD with my friend, the mortician. "I realize six songs may be too many for a funeral, but these are my testimony." Knowing how much music means to me, Jerry assured me that they would play them.
I Have Never Walked Alone (sung by Jake Hess) is one selection that reminds me how God has always been with me over the years.
Jesus walked me through cancer. He protected me and the kids the year Gale went overseas with the Air Force.
Through it all -- the good and the bad, the hard and the easy -- He was there, holding me up when I couldn't walk alone and even when I thought I could.
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
There is a secret many people never learn. Before you can be in the right place with God, you need to humble yourself in His presence -- get small before Him. You need to come to the place where He is everything and you are nothing.
One of the greatest truths in the Bible is this: The way up is down.
James 4:6,10 . . . God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of The Lord, and he shall lift you up.
When we come to the place where we see our own inability and His ability, then we are in a position to be used of Him, to receive what we need from Him.
The place of absolute surrender to God is where we quit fighting our battles and turn them over to Him. This is where we leave all we are and all we have at the feet of Jesus.
There are no first-class or second-class Christians in the family of God.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Some people are smarter, have more money, greater gifts, abilities and opportunities, but that won't buy them salvation. Salvation is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5), and we are all of equal standing before Him.
Every believer is a sinner saved by grace through faith in The Lord Jesus Christ.
If you could take the best out of every man that has ever lived since Adam and put it into one man, that man would still need to be saved.
