Active Or Attractive
Sunday’s Monday
I was introduced to a version of the bible that I had never heard of and I really like the way it uses adjectives to cause the words to burst with enthusiasm. In which I believe, people will only become as excited about something as its presenter and this came through spending most of my adult life, in manufacturing management positions. My awakening came when God took me out of the ordinary (traditional) into the extraordinary (sensational) by introducing me to a (my) pastor who is taking us on a journey of discovery into a life of following Jesus. We have traveled this journey for 22 years and it is as exhilarating today as the day it started. We have visited a lot of churches over the years, that have simply grown stale in the spirit. Beware! Revelation 3:16-22 (TPT), 16 But because you are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, I am about to spit you from my mouth. 17 For you claim, “I’m rich and getting richer—I don’t need a thing.” Yet you are clueless that you’re miserable, poor, blind, barren, and naked!
There are thousands of theories as to what a good Christian should look like and that’s ok, “if you’re into the world”, Matthew 6:1 (TPT), “Examine your motives to make sure you’re not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of your heavenly Father. However, should you desire to be “a passionate follower of Jesus” you will walk in Colossians 3:23 (TPT), Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. This revelation has taken me to depts of life, I never dreamed possible and presents me with a fresh new outlook first thing every morning. This life is truly worth living (with Jesus)!
With our thoughts now tuned into the validity of our relationship with Christ Jesus. What does it look like for you? This is a question only you can answer, and it should take a while to find any resemblance of a response. Afterall your answer will affect what remains of your earthly years and could affect your spiritual eternity. Galatians 6:8 (TPT), The harvest you reap reveals the seed that was planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self - life into this natural realm, you can expect to experience a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap the beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit. Simple truth; a home garden halfheartedly cared for will produce (at best) a meager, poor crop whereas that same garden worked with passion and zeal, receives the best of everything and produces an abundant bumper crop. One’s commitment is always rewarded to that same degree in-which it is carried out!
The thing that usually seems to happen to a new Christian filled with passion, is their zeal to follow Jesus is absorbed by the dead within our churches. It seems that over the years of dealing with the apathetic, one ever so slowly follows the traditional church in flowing in the passivity and indifference to the instructions of Jesus. They lose the ability to hear God’s voice and fall prey to man’s doctrine and approval! Their heart becomes filled with self-motivated thoughts, events and actions. For the church life becomes more about the weekly offering, than for the hungry within its community. Pastor’s fall prey to passive sermons as to not offend those passive attendee’s (money givers) in order to preserve some form of job security. Woe to those who or who cause the Holy Spirit to be quenched. Ephesians 4:30-31 (TPT), The Holy Spirit of God has sealed you in Jesus Christ until you experience your full salvation. So never grieve the Spirit of God or take for granted his holy influence in your life. 31 Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults.
Our enemy prefers to use Christians to quench one’s spiritual flame and discourage them from following Jesus. On the other hand, Satan works very hard to keep such Christians in church, looking spiritually attractive, going through all the religious motions, accomplishing little more than looking all holy for others. These people usually carry a measure of authority, as well they usually hold titles and positions dew to their deception of faith. This is one of the reasons we’re told to test the spirit of each other using the discernment of God.!
1 John 4:1 (TPT), Delightfully loved friends, don’t trust every spirit, but carefully examine what they say to determine if they are of God, because many false prophets have mingled into the world. That is why the bible tells us in Revelation 14:12 (TPT), This is a call for the endurance and faithfulness of the holy believers those who follow God’s commands and cling to the faith of Jesus. Each of us must remember Ephesians 6:11 (TPT), Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser.
The time has come when each of us needs to decide if we desire to be active in our faith and belief in Jesus. 1 Peter 2:21 (TPT), In fact, you were called to live this way, because Christ also suffered in your place, leaving you his example for you to follow. Or attractive as one tries to please men, Luke 16:15 (TPT), So Jesus addressed them directly. “You always want to look spiritual in the eyes of others, but you have forgotten the eyes of God, which see what is inside you. The very things that you approve of and applaud are the things God despises. We have all been put on notice since the penning of Luke 12:2 (TPT), Everything hidden and covered up will soon be exposed. For the facade is falling down, and nothing will be kept secret for long. As God exposes the weak so the strong can confront, enlighten and encourage them back into the grace and favor of God. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 (TPT), 14 Take special note of anyone who won’t obey what we have written and stay away from them, so that they would be ashamed and get turned around. 15 Yet don’t regard them as enemies but caution them as fellow believers. Our hearts example could determine where the attractive pretenders would spend eternity.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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