"making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”" (Mark 7:13 NKJV)
"“If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15 NKJV)
"Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me." (John 14:23-24 NKJV)
Most denominations have gotten away from teaching the Word of God, and most people do not know that, because they, themselves, do not know the Word of God!
I was speaking with a friend the other day and she was extolling a big name preacher; asking me if I ever listened to him! She listens to many preachers on the radio and I recognized their names because I too, used to "follow" them. I too, would go to their meetings and buy their books!
I asked her if that preacher ever made her cry. She admitted, he did not. He made her feel good! I asked her if any of the others made her cry, and she could only give one name.
Think about it. When was the last time you felt convicted of sin by a sermon? When was the last time you were called to repentance, by a preacher? When was the last time you wept before The LORD in remorse?
Motivational sermons are the norm today! Designed to improve your life and your walk; make you feel good about yourself! They pump you up and encourage you and strengthen you, so you can do more; be a better you!
It's not about you!
It's all about Him!
"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."(Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV)
If we are to put to death the "old man" and to "put on Jesus", shouldn't we "do" what He commands? Love, forgive, not judge, turn the other cheek; just to name a few! Raising Him should be more important than raising ourself!
"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)
If we are strong we do not need Him! When we are weak He is our strength! He is to be elevated! We are to die and He is to live in and through us! We are to be His mouth, His hands, His feet! We are to be Holy as He is Holy! Holiness only comes through submission and obedience!
Your preacher, nor the TV preacher will be standing with you at the Judgement Seat of Christ! You will stand alone and give an account for every idle word you have spoken! If you have not repented for the unforgiveness, judgments and bitterness you have hid in your heart, you will not see God!
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9 NKJV)
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."(James 5:16 NKJV)
"“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV)
Examine your heart!
Repent while there is still time!
"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6 NKJV)
Obey!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 1/24/15
No comments:
Post a Comment