“And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17 KJV
“to turn the hearts” and “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
God used John The Baptist and He wants to use you!
When you are saved, you are turned from darkness (in your heart) into light and He begins to make you ready for His use! He begins to clean you up; prepare you! His intent - to covert you to “His people!”
Cleaning up hurts and we often resist! But He, in His mercy and grace, doesn’t listen to our cowardly protests. With a firm but gentle hand He takes us through the steps He ordains; through the muck and mire, to get us to The Rock where we can stand on firm footing; all the while washing us with His Word.
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:26-27 KJV
We have the choice to allow His work or resist! We can seek and facilitate or we can run and prevent; that will only slow down the process, for He will have His way and we will finally surrender; for He is God and we are not!
It seems the dirtier we are; the deeper the mire He pulls us out of, the more willing we are to be clean. Those who have not wallowed in filth perceive themselves to be clean and are more reluctant to submit!
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 KJV
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;” Isaiah 64:6a KJV
It’s all about the heart!
I’ve heard so many say, “God knows my heart!” Which is a true statement; He does! The problem is WE don’t know our own heart!
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
David knew!
“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalms 51:2 KJV
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10 KJV
David saw his sin and cried out to God! And we must too! He had walked with God from his youth. He had been used mightily by God, and yet God had to show him his sin.
We must know and recognize our sinful state; our need for a Savior! God shines a light on our hidden sins when we read His Word! His Word convicts us so that we may repent!
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
Mark 1:4 KJV
And Jesus did too!
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 KJV
And He is still speaking to His church:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
Revelation 2:4-5 KJV
Today the church celebrates His birth!
Remember the purpose of His life! Remember His commission to us! Remember our time is short! Remember His return is eminent!
Give Him the best gift - your”self!”
Repent and surrender while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA
No comments:
Post a Comment