By trusting the Lord, Abram ventured into the unknown. Where the Lord revealed Himself. Transforming Abram and his life into one of abundance— good fruit. Rejecting every kind of evil.
Living a life of righteousness in word and deed is non-negotiable. Otherwise, your battle with the kingdom of darkness will end in defeat. You and others will travel down the path to hell. Inflicting pain on a multitude of souls.
There will be times when an “in your face” confrontation is your only option. Individuals will be offended. They may even ostracize or persecute you.
Nevertheless, you must be obedient to God at all times and in all circumstances. Even if others do not reciprocate your love and good will towards them.
After all, what is more important?
They remain your friends here on earth?
Or…
They fulfill their Kingdom destiny here on earth? Are members of God’s eternal family on the other side of eternity?
Do not be afraid or reluctant to join other believers of the past who can proudly proclaim. We have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. We have spoken the truth, and God’s power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right. 2 Corinthians 6:6-7
At other times comfort, not confrontation is required. A word of encouragement. An act of service. A hug does more to convey God’s love than quoting Scripture or testifying to what God has done in your life. Suppressing your impatience and perhaps even anger with the individual’s lack of spirituality. Instead, being a vessel of God’s grace.
The Lord is the God of second chances. Desiring to forgive us, His prodigal children.
To illustrate this truth, Jesus told the Pharisees and teachers of religious law this story. A man had two sons. The younger son told his father. “I want my share of your estate now before you die.”
So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land. There he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him, but no one gave him anything.
When he finally came to his senses. He said to himself. “At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say. Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”
So he returned home to his father. While he was still a long way off his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him. “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”
But his father said to the servants, “Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast. For this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.”
So the party began.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home. He heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on.
“Your brother is back,” he was told, “and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.”
The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied. “All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. In all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet, when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes. You celebrate by killing the fattened calf!”
His father said to him. “Look dear son. You have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found! Luke 15:11-32
In this parable, the man actually had two prodigal sons. The younger son typifies the repentant believer and the older son a religious hypocrite. Both squandered their father’s wealth of love on satisfying personal desires.
Unlike his older brother, the younger son eventually realized his self-righteousness was ugly. Unfulfilling. Unkind. Abandoning his pride. He returned home to seek his father’s forgiveness.
So, which prodigal son are you?
Do you seek your heavenly Father’s will for your life? Or chase the approval of man?
Do you invest your time, talents and resources into the building of the Lord’s Kingdom? Or are you building your kingdom?
Do you obey the Lord’s truth? Or is the god of this world– satan and his doctrines of lies your worldview?
Do you trust the Lord? Remain within the boundaries He has established for your life? Or do you implement Plan B? Taking matters into your own hands when things are not progressing as quickly as you desire?
Do you receive the Lord’s grace unconditionally? Or do you try to manipulate Him with your works of self-righteousness?
Do you walk in peace and joy even in the midst of a storm? Or are fear and hopelessness your sailing companions?
Do you remain steadfast and persevere until the enemy of your soul, satan retreats in defeat? Or do you wave the white flag of surrender when life becomes uncomfortable? Unpredictable? Prayers remain unanswered?
Do you seek the Lord even when His is silent? Or do you retreat into your little world of self-righteousness for comfort and security?
Why did the older prodigal son’s heart remain cold and hard? His pride— self-righteousness created a heart incapable of graciously receiving his father’s unconditional love.
Refusing to believe that knowledge makes us proud of ourselves. While love makes us helpful to others. In fact, people who think they know so much don’t know anything at all. But God has no doubts about who loves Him. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
Does God have any doubts about your love for Him?
Be a VOICE shouting into the wilderness.
“CHRIST is returning!”
letsloveothers 