"The thing that hath been, is that which shall be; and that
which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no
new thing under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1: 9
Herein is a series of articles/Bible studies that speak of living a life
in Christ, beyond limitations we place upon ourselves as mere mortals.
It shows my conviction that the Child of God, as we know him in this
21st century as weak, frustrated and powerless, is an anomaly. A
true Child of God, who understands his Spiritual birth right, lives with
the assurance of resources available beyond the experience of one
who, in the flesh, lives with only earthly aspirations.
The series reflects three areas of observation:
The first is a lifetime of exposure to the Scripture under the teaching
of Godly pastors, Sunday School teachers, seminar leaders, reviva-
lists, college professors and the experience of rubbing shoulders with
men of God from all walks of life. It was established early in life by
parents who were believers, founded on a strong Spiritual heritage.
From the example and teaching of these resources, faith in God and
His Word have always been part of my life. It was not always demon-
strated in my life, but the foundation laid was there and undeniable.
Even those who professed to know the same Father in Heaven, but
proved false, never cast doubt on the ingrained knowledge. God has
been faithful even when we were not. Disappointed in an apparent
brother? The Word of God says to refuse to place faith in flesh and
blood. Discrepancies in the life of a fellow believer is always oppor-
tunity to prove the Word of God to be true and accurate. Even when
I have fallen, the experience has been an opportunity to grow a faith
in the one who does not condemn, but forgives in every instance. He
is always faithful even if I am unfaithful. This does not excuse my
failures. Restoration of fellowship with my Lord has been contingent
on my turning from error/sin back to Him in faith. (Repentance)
The second of these personal experiences is observation of per-
sons around us, every day, who do not name the name of Christ or
have taken that name in vain. When we see the shattered lives, and
wrong decisions; how they become victim to every evil coming their
way, this proves God’s faithfulness in a negative sense. As we have
exposure to the truth of God's Word and in the world around us, we
observe many going to pieces, mucking up their lives, and making
shipwreck of their children’s lives, our faith in God is confirmed.
“But for the grace of God there go I.”
The most telling symptom of an earth bound individual is short sigh-
ted goals. His long term goals are for 10-50 years. The Child of
God has one long-term goal. It is life with no end. The saddest per-
son is one with genuine greatness who is self-effacing in service but
does not know my Heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ. Noteworthiness
nor “greatness,” will do none good in eternity and he will, sadly inhe-
rit a fate similar to the worst evil doer. When this is observed, faith
in God is strengthened, since a relationship with the Heavenly Father
is not based on greatness nor merit.
Finally, the last personal observation proving faith in God to be the
only sane way to make it through this life into the next is the Word of
God. I gave Bible reading a passing nod and study a promise, until
with maturity when it became my life’s bread. Having faith in God as
a reality does not become the focus of one’s life until personal morta-
lity is accepted. When I became serious in study of the Bible, (In no
sense do I claim scholarship in my personal, practical study of Scrip-
ture.) my life was transformed and I found myself in the blessed state
of having resources beyond myself. These resources are available in
this life and the next. I do not have to qualify for them by a righteous-
ness of my own. The righteousness of Jesus Christ has qualified me
to inherit from the wealth and resources of the One who created and
owns it all. When we engage in serious, consistent digging into this
Word, all beliefs we held for a lifetime come to the fore in our aware-
ness. Until we realize total dependency upon the Deity, faith is just
a word we toss around. Our former relationship with the Father was
like taking two aspirin for a malignant growth, expecting a complete
healing. Half measures do not work in other issues of life. Why then,
should we expect them to work in the Spiritual or Eternal? I dare say
most of us spend more time planning a two week vacation than in the
preparation for our inevitable, eternal voyage.
My prayer is for the Lord’s blessing upon this effort; That it be a tool
of blessed encouragement to the reader as well as a challenge to con-
sistent and purposeful study of God’s Eternal Word. Personal, in-
depth, Spirit led Bible study is the only means to a full and meaningful
life on earth and eternal life in God’s presence. Until one is obediently
faithful in the study of the Word of God, he cannot enjoy assurance
that comes from walking with the Lord in close personal fellowship. I
must understand He is within me, working to do His will and his good
pleasure. He has promised in, Philippians 1: 6, to complete the work
He began in us. “...being confident of this very thing, that He who
has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus
Christ”
Know of a surety, He keeps His word. This kind of faith is a must
to sustain one along this temporal voyage we call life and take each of
us into eternity without fear of the unknown eternal void out there for
all who refuse the proffered hand of Jesus Christ. AMEN
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2012/11/take-acid-test-matthew-5-43-48.html
8.24.12, edited, 11.12.14 donporter,sr
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