Cheapened I have an Apostle friend, whom I look up too, because this Apostle brings answers to questions that I have, while raising new questions, regarding the next step or level in our walk with God. In the Hebrew language, John 1:1 says; “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, the Word is the very character and nature of God, a reflection as if in a mirror.” So if Jesus Christ is the Word and this Word reflects the character and nature of God, then it should be safe to say that if we, as Christians, line up with God’s Word and walk in His love, then we have returned back to being the image and likeness of God. That should be a logical fact that stands to reason, even amongst the strongest of critics in any society today, but it begs the question, where are the real Christians? From my first day in the church, I have heard the same thing over and over, and it infuriates me to no end, probably more because I became the same way, Christians shoot Christians, for not living up to standards set by man, and not God. We have, as the bride, cheapened the gospel, the likeness, and the image, that is supposed to be Christ-like, and like the character and nature of God. That reflects solely on us, not God, for God is Holy, maybe that’s why He said; Lev 11:44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Lev 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Lev 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Lev 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Now this next one is most interesting because it involves us living our lives according to the reflection of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life; in other words; prayer and singing and going to church, just isn’t enough. Num 15:40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. 1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. The following statement should by all means put people in a reverent fear of God, considering He is the judge, come that fateful day, and His judgment will be according to His Word. 1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: There is one thing I have noticed, and even found myself guilty of, that is severing relations with people, just because they don’t think or do like us. Peter was a hard headed, prideful individual, but Jesus saw something in Him, that He never turned His back on Peter. Jesus even faced Peter off with his own humanity; Mat 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Mat 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Mat 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. I say Peter’s humanity because; Peter had not yet received the Holy Spirit, in him. Even after Peter had failed and fell into guilting himself, Jesus still never gave up on him. Mat 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. We as human beings habitually turn our backs on others such as Peter, just because they don’t meet our criteria of how one should act and do. Let us look at Judas, Jesus knew full well that Judas would betray Him, and yet He never turned His back on him. Judas was greedy, taking thirty pieces of silver for betraying our savior; Mat 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Mat 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Even when Judas betrayed Him with a kiss; Luk 22:47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. Luk 22:48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? Now God’s Word is very clear as to whom we depart from and whom we stay with, but; what if the loyalty of love, like in Peter’s case, is exactly what needs to be shown, in order to bring people into line with God’s way? Should we be so quick to judge and turn them away, especially if we haven’t asked our Father in Heaven who knows the heart and intent of every living creature? We are called to draw all men, mankind, unto Jesus, the Word, the way, the truth and the life, not to us, our ways, or our understanding. When we do that, we actually place ourselves above God in judgment, I know for me, this is never a place I want to be. Let us seek to please God, the same way that Jesus pleased God, in all we say, do and how we act. Repentance is key, but how do we know to repent if we don’t know what we’re repenting from? Isn’t it time we did things God’s way and repented of doing things our way? Isn’t it time we got to know who God really is and what God is really all about? It’s time we started living for the King, rather than living to be kings, because when all is said and done, we still must stand before the judge, and answer for everything, Amen!!! Let us not cheapen all that has been done to redeem us, or the great cost of our redemption, or even the depth of love put into it, Amen!!!
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:06:44 +0000
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