Continuing my read in Jeremiah; I see time and time again, people inquiring of The LORD, through the prophet and then not obeying what The LORD spoke to them, through him. And God was very specific; if you do this - you will be saved. If you do that - you will die.
They believed enough to inquire, but then didn't believe the message he gave, but followed the evil dictates of their heart, when what they heard did not go along with what they desired to do.
“and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the Lord our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:”
Jeremiah 43:2b KJV
Isn't that what we do?
We pray, or we ask people to pray to get our own way. We tell God what we want, or what we need, and then go on and do what we had intended to do all along.
Then we try and claim His blessings in our disobedience.
We believe The Word, when it suits our desires, but when it goes against our wants we justify our sin by saying - "well that's OT; that doesn't count anymore." "That was for them then; not for us now!"
The only OT that applies for them is the "good stuff" - not the bad!
This is salad bar religion.
I know, because that's the way I was too; before!
BC - does mean "before Christ", in my life. I was as obedient as my church required me to be.
Before God got a hold of me, I did exactly what I wanted to do and it was okay, because that's what everyone else did, and besides, "God knew my heart!"
I had not read my Bible. I did not know what The Word said about the heart! (Jeremiah 16:12, Jeremiah 18:12, Luke 6:45, Hebrews 3:12)
Then I began to read The Word!
I have always loved to read. I realized I had never read The Bible from cover to cover; like I read every other book. Oh, I carried it every Sunday. I would highlight the passages the preacher would mention. And if I happened across a Scripture that was a lyric from a song I knew, I would get so excited.
But to sit and read - No.
Then God put it on my heart to read His Word; and I began - "In the beginning. . . " and I haven't stopped. That was 6 years ago.
Did you know - it doesn't take a year to read The Bible? All it takes is a hunger and thirst for Him; for Him to speak to you; to know Him, like He knows you! The Word is life!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4 KJV
Do you believe that?
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John 1:5 KJV
Most don't believe or comprehend it! Most believe it has been corrupted by men.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Isaiah 40:8 KJV
Being a Christian is not about going to church. It's not about believing.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
James 2:19 KJV
It's about Following.
It's about obedience!
Examine your heart.
Ask God to show you where you have missed it, and He will!
Then repent.
This time of year; when everyone is saying "put Christ back in Christmas" -
Make Him LORD!
Become a Follower!
Put Christ back in "Christian!"
He has to be THE Principal Purpose of your life - or He is not your LORD!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 12/2/16
No comments:
Post a Comment