salvation – Constance

“….Do not be afraid I am the First and the Last.” Revelation 1:17b NIV

…”In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NIV

The world seems to be pressing toward a disastrous end. I was reminded of Jesus’ comforting words as I contemplated the reelection of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States of America for a second time. Friend, if you voted for him, you stay at ease. I am not going to throw any stones in your direction. This is an observation of the world Jesus is referring to in the preceding verse, the contrast between Kingdom of God and the United States. The politics and actions of the past few months have made it abundantly clear; the sins of our nation are compounding and the church is caught up in the midst.

Sin is not just an action it is also the motive and origin of a thing. The righteous acts are not only contrary to the sin of the world but also originate from a totally different place. We leave God out and then make judgements and act out based on someone or something that is opposed to God and His Kingdom, knowingly or in ignorance. We SIN! The world has many diverse ways in which to leave God out. America has always displayed an inclination to be religious and yet sin in religious garb.

The religion of America today has taken on an grumbling vitriol of mega proportions. The speck in our neighbors eye moves Americans to pronounce our religion is greater and more righteous than our neighbors. Sure there are believers with contrite hearts who allow God enough room to be their judge and savior, but the noisy world of the religious have drown out their voices. The world and the devil have always opposed God, but God is able to not only deal with them, but He has already defeated them and their tactics. The decay of America and it’s society is not the story of Christianity. The victory of Jesus is never going to be interrupted or delayed based on America or any countries sins or back slidden people.

Jesus walked on earth in humble circumstances many years ago. Out of those humble circumstances came the best preaching and demonstration of Godly behavior the world has ever know. America, you are not the worlds example of the Christian life. Jesus is and forever will be the Author and Finisher of our faith( Heb.12:2) KJV.

I made the title of this blog, On Edge?, because if we answer that question without acknowledging the truth of Jesus’ Lordship, we are in danger of missing God. Friend, repent with me so we might see the Kingdom of God.

“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.” Revelation 20:12 NIV.

The Spirit of God can take us high in heaven and low into the pit. Friends and love ones can you sense the immediate invasion of eternity at the door? The eternal nature of God creates an uneasy feeling, if we think in the natural mind. Anxious thoughts are often heightened based on real or imagined timeline. The infinite God mercifully graces us with time so our minds can better access our desires and priorities. However, our mortality and the coming judgement circle all of our timeline thinking right back to the eternal One. Unbelievers discard the warnings of judgement and this is correct from their point of view because lies never make sense in light of eternity. Truth is eternal. God is so truthful that He is TRUTH. The clock is ticking forward to something BIG. Do you sense it? The bible tells of the coming judgement and how the thoughts and intensions of all hearts and minds with be laid bare for all to see. Revelation 20.

Wherever you are, consider the number of non fiction literature in the world, the algorithms and news articles and social media post about authentic people and life situations. We can learn quit a bit about someone without meeting them in person. Many people will follow and be influenced by strangers. God however is not bound by time space or matter and is the author of all life and is interested in us. He is meticulously keeping a books on all. Revelation 20:12

Wonder what’s in your book? The detail of God’s investigations into our lives is on a level in which the greatest sleuths could never approach. He knows details to the most infinite level, like the number of hairs on your head. Luke 12:7. He knows your thoughts as well. Luke 2:35 I met a person who was privy to what I was doing in a room by myself and he seemed to revel my secret being known, creepy. Thankfully, he is not my judge. God, however, is privy and is our judge. The judgement to come is why many of us become religious. The judgement I sensed from my creepy friend motivated me. I was less impressed with my friends clairvoyance once I got to know him. Does knowing God motivate us to believe and obey Him? Did you meet God and never take time to know your judge? I have appeared before judges in court rooms and never had the privilege to meeting them before I came to court. I would have liked to know them prior to my court date. Imagine my confidence on the stand. Misplaced confidence could be devastating while on trial. Thankfully, I have had judgements that disappointed but didn’t destroy me. Will God disappoint or destroy?

God is merciful and gracious. Jesus came to earth and died and rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven with all power in His hands. He invited us to be part of the family by believing in and following Jesus. Thankfully, God saved me from the wrath of His judgment once I believed. God however is not satisfied with us having a get out of jail free card. He wants our story to be that of joy. The joy of God is found in trusting and obeying. Believer you ought look forward to the judgement because you got to know the Judge and He will fulfill all of His promises. The judgement to come will reveal the conditional promises kept by His children, namely living out your faith in Jesus. However, our gracious God is not a push over. He will not give out rewards if we did not carry out our part in faith. Salvation to all who believe but if your faith does not carry you to service and action it is a very minimal faith and will grant us a minimal reward. We all fall short in many areas and yet we all can participate in the Kingdom of God by putting our faith in action. If we do not live out our faith daily that is wasted time.

I woke in bed and envisioned being before God. The throne was so large surrounded by gray clouds. God was sitting on the throne with a book in hand and I couldn’t see the cover but He was looking intently into the book. He turned a page and then turned another page one after the other. His intense gave fixated on the pages and I was able to see the pages and they were blank. Immediately, I knew the book was the book about my life. The empty pages he was scouring over were the many days I lived without putting Him first. Each page was turned with the same expectant squint. I did not see pages filled with words. I had received acknowledgement for those pages, but I only saw Heaven staring into my blank pages. Like a jilted lover God read my blank pages.

I choose you God forgive me and cleans me.

Friends God is looking for us to choose Him.

He chooses you!

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