Test!

Test the word of God without any preconceived ideas, just as a child would trust his dad if he was standing on a wall and his dad said, “Jump!” There is no thought in the toddlers mind, will my dad catch me, that is a given! In like manner we must also learn to trust the Word of God, as the uncertainty of so many obstacles in our lives begins to diminish. I believe when we trust the Word of God in its entirety on any given subject, it impressively pleases our heavenly Father! Abraham the father of faith proves this in his willingness to sacrifice his son. Mind boggling, but why is he known as the father of faith? He obeyed the word of God regardless of any foreign thought which looks to oppose God’s instruction. And let’s face it; they lie in every nook and cranny of our minds looking to pounce at the opportune time as they feed off our doubt; what if… How our minds have been thwarted by the systems of this world saddens me.

Our God will always come through for His children! Faith then the key ingredient to our obedience, but I wonder how many Christians have actually understood this. Most would be quick to say, that is an obvious deduction, but when we view our lives and the lives of others around us that would not be the case!

Let me use a simple example to illustrate my point…

The Ten Commandments are often used to measure our obedience towards God, most use it as a yardstick. Obviously, we must hold His laws and statutes close to our hearts. I will now share simple instruction; but how many of us fall short of it?

The Lord Jesus taught us many great truths and here is one of those simple instruction we are called to follow; "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) – Why then do we not apply this instruction to our lives?  Many would debate that they do not live with that impetus in mind, but I am not persuaded! Our lives are so conditioned; planning is such a focal point to our reality, we like to believe that we predestine our own futures. If God had in mind for His children, why then would the Lord Jesus give us this instruction? "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)  - The instruction is very clear, live for today in faith and do not worry about tomorrow. Who lives like that I would like to know?

And yet if salvation is of grace, which it is, then we are what we are by the grace of God! We have done nothing to deserve salvation, it was all of God. He wrought the miracle in us. It had nothing to do with our own intentions as some may foolishly believe. God may well have given us the resolve to respond to His call, but without that determination placed deep within our hearts we would all be dead in our trespasses and sins! Here is a verse to irrefutably prove that point; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

However with that truth now established there is most certainly a responsibility placed upon all who believe. See the stanza following the highlighted verse; “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

So then let me get back to the original point, why do we worry about tomorrow with so much planning surrounding our lives? I have gone back and forth in my mind questioning my own actions in relation to this topic and I am left with one conclusion, I lack faith as simple as that! However God in His mercy is altering my perception on; continue to change my heart O God, make it ever new, to apply that which is true!

When we swim against the current we may eventually arrive at our desire destination, but why not work smarter, and come the way of the Word of God, waiting for the outgoing tide and then the “current” (the finished work of Calvary) will do the work for us. There is a way that seems right to a man but it isn’t God’s way and the end thereof is death! We must begin to take the Word of God more seriously if we have neglected any part of it in our lives. Surely the day is at hand, and the time for childish behaviour has run its course. May God have mercy on all his lagging children! We must be assured of this overshadowing truth; “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) – So then for all of us, who have kicked against the pricks for so long, let us rather shift gears and let us begin to trust our God like never before as we watch His master plan unfold not only around us but in our lives too!

Signing off

Tyrone