Many rebel against the thought that we are not created for our own gratification. We seek to please ourselfs, not the One who created us. But God has a different purpose for our lives.
Deuteronomy 10:12 . . . . fear The Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve The Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul;
Without a personal relationship with God, you are hopelessly separated from God. You are spiritually dead. But by faith you can have your sins forgiven, have access to God, understand the things of God, and become a new person.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
The Bible says God is long suffering, desiring that none perish. God wants to give you a full and abundant life, yet He can only do it if you let Him. Believe and ask Jesus to come into your heart.
We need to get a visual of an individual bound under the control of some one else and can't get away on their own. If you never trusted Christ as your personal Savior, that person is you, a slave to sin -- Satan's property.
But through God's Son Jesus, we are redeemed by His blood and forgiven of sin. The eternal perfect God died on the cross for a debt we couldn't pay.
Ephesians 1:6,7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
So long I had searched for life's meaning
Enslaved by the world and my greed;
Then the door of the prison was opened by love,
For the ransom was paid -- I was free.
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow
I'm free from the guilt of the past
For I've traded my shackles for a glorious song,
I'm free! Praise The Lord! Free at last!
Bill Gaither
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not The Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err'
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
William Cowper 1774
Churches are not called to follow men's traditions or fables nor visions or personal prophecies. They are called to follow the written Word of God.
The Bible is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and eternal. It transcends cultures, continents, and centuries -- for His people of all ages.
Churches are called to bear the light of the gospel in a dark world.
Matthew 5:14-15 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glory our Fathy which is in heaven.
Christ is the only Head of the church and the Holy Spirit the only administrator of her affairs on earth.
