Tag Archives: Christian

Choosing Not to Bow Down

26 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Spiritual

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On May 22, 2015, Ireland became the first nation in the world to recognize “same-sex marriage” as legal.  Voters turned out in overwhelming acceptance to vote for the referendum to make it the law of the land to allow homosexuals to marry.  It is also said that Ireland is a majority Catholic nation, and yet the vote was in favor of what appears to be a rapid change in what was once a social stigma.  The United States is another country that is also moving towards full legalization of “gay marriage”.  In June, the Supreme Court of the United States will decide once and for all if it is Unconstitutional to institute a ban on “gay marriage”.

The issue of homosexuality along with the acceptance of other sins seems to be troubling.  For those of us who are in Christ, we must be aware of the changing times but we must not accept what the world has called “good” and “righteous”.  We are already seeing Biblical prophecy being fulfilled.  In Romans 1: 18-32, the Apostle Paul speaks to the wrath and punishment that God has and will inflict upon those who choose to live in a godless manner.  Paul’s words are quite prophetic because his words penetrate into today’s reality. In Romans 1: 21-24 (NIV) Paul says:

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”

If you read further in Romans 1, you will see that the blatant sinfulness that was committed during the time of Paul led to further destruction.  However, these things that Paul mentions didn’t just happen during his lifetime, but the very things Paul mentions in 26-31 are happening today.  We are living in a global society that has now chosen to reject the very decrees of God and accepted secular humanism as truth and a way of living.  However, those who are in Christ should not bow down to this world system.

As an example of not bowing down, there is a familiar passage of scripture that involves Daniel and the three Hebrew boys. Most who know this story, remember the exchange that Daniel along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had with King Nebuchadnezzar.  In Daniel chapter 3, we see that King Nebuchadnezzar has erected a golden image in his likeness.  This was an image that was to be worshiped by all of the people within the nation of Babylon. In verses 4-6 it says:

“Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”

At the sound of music, it was mandated that everyone worship the golden image or face a fiery furnace as a consequence. However, in verses 8-12, you can see that Daniel and his friends would not bow down to worship the golden image.  In verses 13-18, the King has an exchange with Daniel and his comrades. King Nebuchadnezzar becomes enraged by their disobedience and threatens them with the fiery furnace.  However, in the face of danger, the following answer is given: 

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

In the moment of what was impending death, Daniel and his friends chose not to bow down to the golden image.  The first lesson we should take from this passage is that there was a resistance against what was idol worship and sinful behavior.  Even in today’s time, those who are truly following Christ will be called to stand firm and reject the changing face of our world.  While nations are approving of sin, and even forcing many to abide by such changes, there must and will be a remnant that will live for God in spite of various mandates.

What we are seeing displayed before our eyes today is just as Paul has said in Romans 1. Many have chosen to reject God and exchange His truth for a lie.  However, what is worse is that there are many who are naming the name of Christ who have bowed down to this world system.  Many church leaders have allowed themselves to be silenced because of threats that have come from government entities.  There are also those who fear the backlash that would affect church membership.  The truth is, if you are going to live for Christ, there will be friction between the world system and those who are in Christ. Concerning yourself over threats and persecution that may cause a loss of church membership is not the priority.  The priority is to stand for Jesus Christ and to reject the sinfulness that has become common practice.

However, if you read further in Daniel 3, you will see that Daniel and his friends were not only thrown in the fiery furnace but God was with them.  In verses 19-27, it is recorded that none of those thrown in the fire were affected by the flames because of God’s protection.  It even came to a point in which the King was so astounded that he praised God in verses 28-29.  The point to be made is that there are rewards for following God’s commands.

The truth about the time that we are living in is that our days on Earth are critical. Every single day, we are seeing an increase in violence, weather-related tragedies, and lawlessness.  Laws will continue to be instituted that balk against what God has designed. Christians who are authentic and called will experience persecution, but we have safety in God as long as we are standing for Him and His laws.  Satan has gained ground throughout the world by setting into place a system of idol worship.  The majority including many who are claiming Christianity, are bowing down.

However, we who have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior are called not to bow but to stand for God’s ways.  Not doing so will bring ruin, and consequences for a rejection of God’s truth. You too can experience the blessings of God by accepting Christ and coming to the side of truth.  You will avoid the consequences of sin if you confess it to Jesus Christ and accept His sacrifice on the cross.  Choosing not to, and following this world’s order will lead to chaos and destruction.  Jesus died and rose again so you wouldn’t have to be condemned.  Choose Christ, and choose not to bow down to this system.

Never Giving Up On God’s Promises

20 Wednesday May 2015

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Have you ever experienced a season in your life that seemed as if it would never end? All of us at some point can testify to the feeling of wanting to quit on our dreams and various desires that have yet to occur.  It is the nagging feeling of throwing everything away, when you have waited and hoped for so long – and yet if you give up you will never realize the dream or the promise that God has made to you.

In Mark chapter 5, verses 25 – 32 there is a story of a woman with an issue of blood.  In this passage, a woman whose name is unknown is suffering from the illness of bleeding.  In verses 25-27 the scripture says in the NIV version: “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” The woman in question has been treated for bleeding during a 12-year span, however not only did her condition not improve but it grew worse.  

Sometimes, we endure circumstances or challenges which test our endurance.  In some cases, our situations may not improve but worsen as time goes on.  As a result, the potential to give up increases as strength begins to wane.  However, if we continue reading in Mark 5, we can see that there is hope:

“When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

There are a few things that we can take away from the above passage:

1. We must press forward despite the obstacles – The woman who was suffering from the issue of blood understood that she had no choice but to believe that a miracle could happen.  In verse 27 it says that when she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak.  In her mind, she knew that Jesus had the power to heal all infirmities.  So, she believed that by moving through the crowd which could have been accepted as an obstacle, that she would be that much closer to her miracle. There are various obstacles which present themselves in our lives.  However, we must move forward with the dogged determination that it takes to fight the good fight of faith. If God has promised something to you, He will perform just what He has said. Philippians 1:6 says that if God has begun a good work in you, He will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus had the supernatural power to heal – Throughout scripture there are various occurrences of men, women, and children who experienced healing at the hands of Christ.  By touching the cloak of Jesus, the woman was instantly healed.  It was the divine and supernatural power of Jesus Christ which brought healing to what seemed like an impossible situation.  Have you ever faced something that seemed impossible?  I can certainly tell you that there are at least a couple of things in my own life that seem impossible to me. However, what you and I must do is remember that all power rests in the hands of God.  If Jesus was able to heal a woman who bled for 12 years, then the very power that resides in Him is the same power that can deliver you.  We must be willing to surrender and allow God to lead us to victory.

3. Faith must be activated – Hebrews 11:6 in the King James Version says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  The woman who needed healing had great faith.  Jesus said to her in verse 32 that her faith had healed her. Basically, it was because of her faith in what Jesus could do, that it was credited to her as righteousness. As a result, she was completely healed from her suffering.  Your faith must be activated if you are going to access the miracles and promises that God has made to you.  The woman who was suffering is a great example of what faith and standing firm in what you believe is.  She chose not to give up, despite the obstacles and the amount of time she waited to be healed.  In the end, it was her faith in what God could do through Jesus that fueled her to victory.

Has God made any promises to you regarding your present and your future? Those of us who are in Christ have access to the miracles of God, but it takes faith and a willingness to move forward.  Giving up isn’t an option because to do so is tantamount to saying that God cannot perform a miracle.  By following after God through obedience and faith, you are a candidate for His blessings.

If you do not know Jesus as your personal savior, you are missing out on the very miracles and blessings that can be available to you.  By accepting Christ as your savior and confessing your sins, you are able to experience the great things that God has in store for you.  The greatest message of the Cross of Christ is not just that He died for you, but that He never gave up.  When Jesus went through the process of the crucifixion, He was burdened and undoubtedly felt like giving up.  However, His obedience to God, and knowing that His actions would save many, was what drove him to die on the cross for you and I.

Jesus never gave up on His mission, and neither should you.  Stand on the promises of God, and even when it becomes difficult, do as 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, which is to be steadfast and unmovable.  We all feel like giving up sometimes, and often times waiting for God to deliver us can be wearisome.  However, God is a promise keeper and when it is your timing for a miracle, you shall have the victory in the name of Jesus Christ.

Daring to Believe – Faith in Who God Is & What He Can Do

19 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-100289390There has always been the element of “believing when you see it” or seeing the physical evidence of a matter before it can be believed.  Especially concerning God and His existence, many who are considered Atheists choose to look at God as one who does not exist because there isn’t any proof to show that He does. However, choosing to believe or not to believe is a decision that one makes.  Whether or not you or I believe in God, does not negate His existence.  The key is taking the leap of faith to believe in what we cannot see. Some call it “blind faith” however, as it relates to God it truly takes humility to admit that we as humans are not supreme in our being.  The truth is, it takes a willingness to be accountable to someone higher than yourself which in this case is God.

In John 20:29, we see an exchange of words between Jesus and one of His Disciples by the name of Thomas.  The scripture reads in the NIV version:

“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  In John 20, the passage records the resurrection of Jesus. Mary Magdalane finds that the tomb of Jesus is empty and alerts two of the Lord’s Disciples.  Peter and another Disciple discover that the tomb is empty, and they returned to where they were before.  Then in verses 11 through 17 Mary converses with two angels, and Jesus at the tomb.  Jesus gives her a command in verse 17 to tell the Disciples of His resurrection.

It is important to note that this chapter gives us an insight into who “Doubting Thomas” is.  Thomas was one of the Disciples, and he was known for his skepticism in Christ’s resurrection. Jesus first appears to the Disciples in verses 19 through 23, however Thomas does not see Jesus until later.  In verses 24 through 29, we see an exchange between the Disciples, Jesus and Thomas:

(NIV) “Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

In the above scripture, Thomas immediately shows his disbelief but he also shows that he must see the proof of Christ’s resurrection in order to believe. We live in a society that operates in the same way.  There must be emphatic proof that God exists or that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.  Thomas doubted that Jesus rose from the dead, because for one he was prideful in his own thinking and certainty that the man standing before him was not Jesus the Christ.  Secondly, Thomas needed physical proof in order to believe that Jesus was indeed resurrected.

There are many in our world today, who are skeptical of God’s existence and the whole idea of Christianity.  Some of it is because of how there have been poor examples of those who profess Christ.  In turn, there are those who see hypocritical behavior and they shrink back in distaste for what is supposed to be an authentic message and lifestyle.  However, much of the disbelief comes from pride and not having actual proof from the human and worldly standpoint.

In order for one to understand who God is, they must first surrender their life in every area which means having the humility to admit that we as humans are not supreme in our being.  It takes relinquishing one’s stance to finally see the glory of God through new eyes.  This means, confessing your pride and your sins before Jesus Christ.  It also means accepting Christ as your savior, which involves living in a submitted fashion before a Holy God.

Secondly, it involves a choice to believe even in the unseen.  Jesus said to the Disciples in the latter part of verse 29, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This means, that a person who chooses to believe and has not even seen the individual or entity in question is blessed.  The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that we are to walk by faith and not by sight.

When you walk by faith, you are leaning unto God and trusting in Him for who He is and what He can do. By believing in God, you are taking yourself out of the equation and allowing God to show you the path to a better life.  There are scriptures that are full of miracles that were received based on one’s obedience and belief in what God could do. Even in our world today, there are miracles that occur as a result of what God has done.

However, it takes true humility to surrender to what we cannot see.  Only those who choose to live in spiritual blindness, will fail to see the wondrous works that God is able to do.  It is the boldness in a person that challenges the doctrine of a world that refuses to acknowledge who God is because of a “lack of physical proof”.  However, if one desires proof they can be pointed to plant life, the ocean, the sun – these are things that man could not and did not create. Even our very lives are a testament to the creator.

The great thing about God is that despite humanity’s insistence in disbelief, He gives us a chance to believe. Jesus Christ was offered as a sacrifice for you and I.  Knowing God through Christ, is the best decision you could ever make. While you are alive, you have an opportunity to believe, but the choice is yours.  Those who have already made that choice, we are secured eternally. You too can have eternal security, by relinquishing your pride and believing. One can only know who God is through an authentic relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.  The best proof is the proof that you will receive when you see that God is indeed as real as others say He is, but you must see it for yourself.

Speaking God’s Truth Instead of Remaining in Silence

18 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10029952Throughout human history, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and professing God’s truth has been met with opposition. There are many Biblical accounts of those who were martyred for the sake of spreading the Gospel of Jesus.  Even many were tortured, beaten, and made to be pariahs in their own villages because of their stance for speaking against sin and for salvation.  This is also true in today’s time – many Christians are now reviled for standing up against the sinfulness and disobedience against the precepts of God.

In the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah was given a task to warn the people of Jerusalem and the Kings of Judah in Jeremiah 19.  Throughout that passage, Jeremiah gives a warning against both nations for their idolatry and worship unto Baal who was a foreign god, in addition to their insolence against God’s decrees.  As Jeremiah gives his prophecy, he is then imprisoned by a Priest named Pashur. (Jeremiah 20: 1-2).  In verse 3, after Jeremiah is released he gives a prophecy to Pashur that his name will no longer be “Pashur” but “Terror on Every Side.”  This is because of Pashur’s willingness to defy God’s words and imprisoning Jeremiah for his prophecy.  In verses 4-6, Jeremiah prophesies that the nation of Judah will be given over to the King of Babylon – while Pashur along with his friends and the Kings of Judah will be buried in Babylon as punishment.

The above is Jeremiah’s prophecy which eventually comes true, however, there is a complaint that Jeremiah makes to God:

Jeremiah 20: 7-9 says in the NIV version:

“You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

Jeremiah has grown weary of the persecution that he is receiving despite doing as God has told him to do. However, notice the words he uses, “his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” What Jeremiah is saying is that even if he wants to withhold his words or prophecies, the urge is too strong to stifle.  He uses the word, “fire” because the heaviness and urgency he feels to prophesy cannot be contained.  A fire is a consuming entity which if not squelched by water, it reaches and burns everything within distance.

That is how we as Christians should treat our walk with Christ.  Living in this Christian life should not be relegated to being separated from those who are in darkness, but it should also involve an active participation in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is often coined as, “The Good News” because the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is indeed good news.  It is good news because, Jesus’ death on the cross broke the power of sin over our lives.  We are no longer condemned eternally because we have Jesus Christ as the advocate or the one who took our place by taking the penalty for us.  The only thing we must do is confess our sins, accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, and live in obedience unto God.

However, we are living in an age where there is a staunch opposition against the things of God.  While human history has given direct evidence of persecution against Christians, it seems that even more so now those in Christ are being challenged. Even in America, we are seeing more instances of Christians that are being marginalized because of the Godlessness that is entrenched in our society. We are also seeing a watering down of God’s truth for the sake of appeasing the majority. Pastors and church leaders have become muzzled while, in exchange, church membership began to be the focus instead of providing the truth of God’s word.

We must understand that God did not call Christians to be silent, but to profess Jesus Christ and Him crucified before a dying world.  Just as Jeremiah could not hide the truth, we should not hide God’s truth.  The Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:16 (NIV) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Paul among others during his time understood the mission but also the critical nature of sharing the Gospel with the lost.

A generation of people are now being taught that you can sin without consequence. It is now the trend that your own truth is what matters, in addition to the “live and let live” mentality.  Now, it is deemed disrespectful if you were to tell someone about their lifestyle in an attempt to change how they live. The Bible makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) the following:

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”  This means that those who are not living by the Spirit of God are unable to accept the truth that comes from God’s word.  However, that does not mean that God cannot convict someone’s heart.  The job of every Christian is not only to live a life that is acceptable unto God, but to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are lost.

Remaining in silence in the face of opposition, insults, and criticism from non-believers only dampens the message of the cross.  Jesus Christ died and rose again for all sinners, which includes you and I.  Even when persecution comes, we who are in Christ should continue to spread the good news.  The good news is like a panacea or a remedy for a medical condition.

Sin and disobedience unto God can be likened to a disease.  It is a condition which not only separates all who are unrepentant from God, but it causes physical and spiritual damage during life.  The end result of a life that is not surrendered to God through Jesus Christ is one that spends eternity in Hell, separated from the presence of God.  However, the remedy is Jesus Christ.  If Christians who are truly following God, fail to exemplify and speak the truth of God to others, then it is as if we who have been cured are allowing those in their illness to die.

Jeremiah like other prophets could not stand and watch nations that were Godless, burn and suffer because of disobedience without warning the people and the Kings.  Although each prophet’s declaration and warning came true, they understood that those who heard God’s truth would be spared if they chose to repent and turn from their wicked ways.  The number of those who choose to perish might be greater than those who choose life, but the point of sharing the message is to give everyone in the vicinity an opportunity.  The opportunity has been given to you and I.  If you don’t know Jesus, you can be spared from the penalty of sin and disobedience.  Christ is the remedy for a broken life.  Accept His gift of salvation, and you will have a life that will remain in the safety of a loving God.

Knowing Your Identity in Christ

15 Friday May 2015

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ID-10043406In the age of technology, media, and the changing social climate, there are many voices that are speaking to us.  If you were to turn on your television, you would find that the media wields a certain amount of influence over how many act and think.  Reality shows portray images of lascivious and sinful behavior which is now embraced by mainstream culture.  Even local and international news networks have become the breeding ground for promoting lifestyles that were once thought to be off-limits or unconscionable. In many respects, the internet has caused a widespread feeding frenzy, based on the content that is produced to all viewers.  As a result, many suffer from having an “identity crisis”.  

This means that many who are subject to what society has promoted, begin to form their minds and lives around what is being given as truth. However, Romans 12:2 says,

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

The thing about an identity is, it is based on who a person is, because of programming that takes place in the mind.  Your identity is like a fingerprint because it distinguishes who you are. Much of why we see confusion within the younger generations today, is because they don’t know who they are. There are many who are attempting to figure out who they are, because their identity is not in Christ, but rather it is in the lies that satan has fed them. How do you find your identity?

In order to know who you are meant to be, you must consult the creator.  God has given us an opportunity to know Him through Jesus Christ.  He has also given us an identity which is wrapped in who He has created us to be.  Going back to Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul admonishes Christians not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  This can only be done by accepting Christ and allowing God to transform your mind.

Since the mind is a powerful tool, it can be shaped in such a way that one begins to act and live out of what is received. The reason why the Apostle Paul said that we should be transformed by the renewing of our mind, is because he understood that our mind must be programmed in the things of God instead of the things of the world.  In doing so, we will find our identity in Christ.

Even before you and I were born, God has given us an identity in Him. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” What is our identity as it relates to God?  As Genesis 1:27 says, God created man in His own image.  You and I were created in the image of God. However, because of sin which entered into the world through Adam & Eve, the image became shattered.  This meant that an identity crisis occurred, because of the separation that sin caused.

Thus, you now have men and women who are attempting to find out who they are. They do it through changing their appearance, their gender, their actions, which are all an attempt to gain their identity. While humanity is still created to be in God’s image, it is sinfulness that distorts that image which means a distorted or confused identity.  What is your identity in Christ, and how do you find it?

1 Peter 2:9 says “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The true identity if we were ever to discover it in Christ, is that we are a chosen people.  God created each human to be set apart for His use and to be a royal priesthood as the Apostle Peter says in this scripture. Your identity is forever changed when you accept Jesus Christ as your savior.

This means that you are no longer bound by sin, nor is your identity hinged upon what the world says.  You are secured in knowing who you are through Christ Jesus.  Another translation of 1 Peter 2:9 uses the words, “a peculiar people” which means that in Christ, we are different.  God created you to be in His image, which means that you are meant to be separated from what the world has established.

When the media and those who have embraced the various lies, say that you should follow the crowd by accepting what is promoted, know that you are being given a false identity.  The standard that God has given to every human being is one of holiness, and being called out of darkness into His light.  The identity that we can find in Christ is one that leads to knowing who we are, and what our purpose is.  Only in God’s presence and in a relationship with Him can we find out what we were born to do.

In addition to knowing what our identity is in Christ, we must then realize how we can find that identity.  To find it, you must seek after the creator.  God already knows who you are – but through prayer, worship and reading God’s word, you will come to realize the identity that God has given you through Jesus Christ.

Think of it in the sense of a relationship with a human being.  The more you spend time with a person or group of people, you begin to identify with certain characteristics.  It is the same with God – you will begin to show the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23) which are based on godly characteristics that come from spending time with God.  As a result, the fruit that you bear become the identifiable traits that come from who you are in Christ.

The reverse is also true as it relates to embracing the things of this world. Many who seek after worldly and sinful pleasures bear the fruit of wickedness which results from identifying with what satan has proposed.  The key, however, is to recognize that only God can give you your true identity – the world presents a false identity which leads to confusion.

God desires that every human being know Him through Jesus Christ, but He also desires that we know who we are in Him.  If you are attempting to find out who you are, by trying endless ways to fit into this world’s structure then you will find a lack of peace. Jesus Christ was offered as a sacrifice for you and your sins, which means that He holds the key to your identity.  Without Christ, you will always search for who you are meant to be, but you won’t find it in what this world has to offer.  Giving your life and heart to Jesus is the only way to life, because in Christ you can and will know your identity.

Open Hands for Giving and Receiving

15 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10037488The human hand is a body part that is designed to touch, feel, and grasp objects within reach.  There are generally two positions that a hand is capable of assuming.  The first is an open hand or open palm.  The second is a closed hand or closed palm.

Starting with the position of a hand that is open, it is a posture which assumes that a person is available to receive when they are in the position to reach or grab an item.  Open hands concerning body language usually profess one’s interest or openness to a person or situation.  As it relates to a closed hand, it symbolizes unavailability or a lack of openness.  One who has their hands full would not resemble openness because their hand is preoccupied with an object.  Body language concerning that a clenched fist or closed hand signifies that one is standoffish or unavailable based on their posture.

Our lives can also symbolize that of an open or a closed hand.  In Luke 6:38 Jesus is teaching His Disciples, and He gives the following statement:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

As you think about giving, you can think of it as a two-way street.  This means, that when you give, you will at some point receive.  It can be summed up as the “law of reciprocity.”  The Bible mentions the principle of reaping and sowing in Galatians 6:7. To reap what one sows, means to receive based on what one has already given or put forth.  Starting with the element of giving, what does it mean to give?

To give, means that you are releasing what is in your possession.  Going back to the example of the human hand, if a hand contains an object and the hand is opened, then it is free to release said object.  In our lives, we too should release the things that we have within our possession.  Whether it be spreading the joy that we have to those around us, monetary donations, or giving of our time – God desires that we give to others.  Our society in today’s time has become built upon self-gratification.

Satan desires that we give unto ourselves, without employing the essence of giving to others. He knows that if life is consumed with selfishness and vanity, then at some point our self-indulgence will lead to both a physical and spiritual bankruptcy. This also includes giving to God what He is owed in praise and in worship with our very lives.  We as Christians are to have an open hand policy which means, that our lives are open to giving for the sake of Christ.  Giving of yourself is to provide nourishment to others, rather than hoarding what you have for yourself.

Proverbs 11: 24-25 says,

“There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.”

When you give, the Bible says in this scripture that you will increase or gain more. However, if you choose not to give, you will only find yourself wanting more.  This scripture says that the generous man will be prosperous, which means that abundance will be the result of giving freely.  The difference between those who are in Christ who give, and those who are not in Christ who withhold, is that those in Christ find themselves with more.  Those who live according to the flesh and their selfish desires, only live lives that are seeking more which leads to a barren existence.  So, you and I must give of what we have freely to God, and to those around us.

In addition to giving, we must remember that an open hand policy means that we can and will receive.  According to the scriptures given, giving will usually result in receiving. Whenever you give of what you have, you can expect to receive at some point.  Think of it as planting a seed in the ground.  If you plant a seed in profitable soil, at some point you will experience a harvest or growth of the seed that you planted.  This is a result of giving or planting the seed in the soil.

As Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given unto you”.  It is important that we have open hands to give, but also to receive.  Sometimes, it may be difficult to receive from others because of pride.  It takes humility to accept assistance from those who are willing to offer it to you.  However, the key to also remember is that there are rewards that come with giving. According to Proverbs 22:9 it says, “He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” This scripture is using the concept of giving to those who do not have.  The key word in that scripture is “blessed”.

The point about receiving is, that there is a blessing that comes when you give.  To receive is a blessing that you and I must be open to.  A hand that is open to giving but closed when it comes to receiving does not invoke prosperity or blessing.  Rather, a person who constantly gives but does not receive cannot be the beneficiary of the law of reciprocity or “reaping what you sow”.

God desires that all of us experience both sides of giving and receiving. We live in a world that caters towards what one can receive, without truly giving to someone else. As Christians, God expects us to abide by His standards which involves releasing what we have for the benefit of others.  He also desires that we be open to receive His blessings which are apart of the process of giving. Walking in selfishness and hoarding what you have, only leads to a life of emptiness.

However, abundance comes when we utilize the principle of giving that God has instituted from the very beginning.  God gave Jesus Christ his only son, as a sacrifice for the world’s sins.  If you don’t know God, you can through Jesus Christ.  It was God’s love for you that gave you an escape from destruction. Release your sins before Jesus Christ, and accept His offering of salvation.  Then and only then will you understand the process of having open hands for giving and receiving.

Finding Safety in the Fortress

13 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10056328In a time of peril and unrest, there are many who are seeking shelter and safety. Every day, there are countless tragedies which are displayed on the morning or evening news. Millions are seeking refuge in various forms as a way to cope and shield themselves from what occurs daily.  While others are panicked, as they attempt to ascertain why our world is as dangerous as it appears to be. The fact is, we are living in a world that isn’t always conducive for our daily living.  One might read these words and feel as if there isn’t any hope.  However, there is hope, and that hope comes in the form of a loving God who sent His son Jesus to die for the sins of the world.

In Psalm 18:2, the song writer David proclaims God’s greatness regarding the security that God and God alone can give. He says, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  David understood what we must understand and that is, that God is the one and only one who can provide safety in a time of chaos.  The key term that David uses is, “fortress”. What is a fortress?

According to Dictionary.com, a fortress is defined as the following:

1. A large fortified place; a fort or group of forts, often including a town;citadel.

2. Any place of exceptional security; stronghold.

The characteristics of a fortress involve that of extreme security which means that it is difficult or near impossible for outside forces to enter.  A fortress especially for military purposes, is a building or complex that contains external and internal defenses.  If an enemy attempts to gain entry or attack a heavily fortified fortress, then the enemy will find themselves denied of access. David uses the term fortress because he is describing the attribute of God which is that of guaranteed protection.  A fortress is synonymous to a stronghold in which those who are in need of protection can run into it, and are hidden from the outside.

That is what God is and can be for you and I.  In the midst of a chaotic world, when violence in addition to unfortunate tragedies persist, you and I have a fortress in God. In Proverbs 18:10, it says, “The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”  This is another declaration of how strong and mighty God is to those who trust in Him.  However, in that verse, there is a key word that should not be missed.  The word that the writer uses is “godly”.  King Solomon who wrote the book of Proverbs, uses the word “godly” to denote the fact that only those who are following God in obedience will benefit from safety.

The distinguishing difference between those who are in Christ and those who are living by their sinful nature is that those who are in sin, do not have a covering.  The word “covering” means that there is a level of protection that is either present or it has been lifted.  Those who are in rebellion against God, are living in an uncovered state.  This means, that whatever occurs will usually happen because they were left open to what our enemy satan has designed.

Have you ever noticed how there are so many celebrities that are seemingly suffering from various addictions (i.e. drugs, sexual) in addition to their lives seeming as if they are out of control?  Much of this is because their lives are uncovered from the protection that God provides. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death, death both in the spiritual and physical sense.

In Isaiah 59:2 it says,

“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” It is important to note that the prophet Isaiah, was speaking to those in the nation of Judah in this scripture.  Isaiah was tasked with speaking to the people of Judah about their sin and un-repentance. However, in verse 9, Isaiah says that the sins of those in Judah have caused a separation from God.  However, in the latter part of that verse it says that the sins committed have caused God’s face to be hidden in addition to God no longer listening to the words of those who are in need.

The point to be made is that in order for you and I to benefit from God’s safety, we must live Holy lives that are pleasing unto God.  If you desire to be protected from life’s circumstances, then the best place to be found is in a posture of worship and obedience unto God  As a disclaimer, it is important to note that even if you have committed your life to God, you will face challenges.  It is because we are in a sinful world, that no one is immune to difficulty that may happen.  However, the best thing about living for God, is that you have someone who can stand for you when everything around you may be crashing down.

If you have noticed, the intensity of tragic events is increasing worldwide. Even in America, we are seeing various instances of challenges both financially and otherwise that seemingly no one can explain.  As the prophet Isaiah mentioned to the nation of Judah, there are consequences for sinfulness.  Any nation that decides to balk against God’s decrees will face hardship and eventually destruction.  The reason is because God removes His covering when humanity is in an un-reprentant state.  Many Americans and even those living in other countries are experiencing hardship in part because of the corruption and sinfulness that resides within their land.

However, the good news is that you and I can find safety in the one and true God who is Jehova.  Attempting to find safety in the world will only lead to more insecurity, and dashed hopes.  Your politicians, your bank account, nor can any other material possession offer you the safety that God offers through Jesus Christ.  God is a fortress in a time of despair, and anyone who trusts in Him by accepting Jesus Christ through the confession of their sins, shall be saved.

God offers the safety that all of humanity is seeking.  You can reside within the impenetrable fortress that God Himself is.  Even if you find yourself in hardship, the fact that you will have a loving and capable God on your side is enough to protect you from utter destruction.  God wants to give you what the world cannot.  Only in Christ will you find complete satisfaction and a life that is shielded from the evil schemes that satan presents. You will find that you will be in a strengthened and fortified position, by relying on the only fortress that cannot be broken, and that is the Lord God.

Stand Firm In The Faith

12 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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Over the last few years, there have been various reports of many Americans and even those worldwide who have left the faith.  A recent report from CNN.com gives actual statistics of those who are “Millennials” who are no longer participating in church activities, nor associating with Christianity.  According to the article which was published today, the percentage of those identifying with Christianity has and continues to drop significantly:

“Released Tuesday, the survey of 35,000 American adults shows the Christian percentage of the population dropping precipitously, to 70.6%. In 2007, the last time Pew conducted a similar survey, 78.4% of American adults called themselves Christian.”

“People who profess no faith affiliation — often called “nones,” as in “none of the above” — now form nearly 23% percent of the country’s adult population, according to the Pew study. That puts the unaffiliated nearly on par with evangelicals (25.4%) and ahead of Catholics (about 21%) and mainline Protestants (14.7%).”

What is even more alarming is that there is a growing trend of those both claiming Christianity, and even those who are not affiliated, that have shown support for “same-sex marriage”.  Recent polls conducted nationwide have shown that many churches are now accepting same-sex weddings, leaving those who do not support it in the minority.  It is quite easy for those who are truly following God in obedience to become discouraged.  Truthfully, in these times it seems that the majority are now living in sin and promoting a Godless society for current and future generations.  While those who are following Christ, seem to be outnumbered. However, the Bible gives each Christian clear instructions on how to live, but also encouragement during difficult times.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, the Apostle Paul gives a word of encouragement to his fellow brothers in Christ. He says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Paul’s message to us is also to stand firm in the faith and to be courageous. At the time of Paul’s life, he and other Christians faced perilous situations.  Some were crucified, beheaded, beaten, and utterly expelled from the societies they once lived in. Persecution against Christians has and continues to occur even in our present time. However, the Apostle Paul gives Christians encouragement to stand firm in the faith. What does that mean?

To stand firm is to hold a stance that is unwavering.  It is to be fixed in a position that requires a concerted effort to displace or move one from where they stand.  Even in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Paul writes to fellow Christians, when he says, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” The Apostle Paul was an individual who not only challenged Christians and non-Christians about sinful behavior, but he was known for encouraging those in Christ.

What we as Christians need to understand is that despite the perilous times and the many who have chosen to reject God, we must stand firm in the faith. To stand firm in the faith, means that we are to hold fast or steady as it concerns the things of God.  In the scripture of 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul is giving Christians admonishment not to forget or forsake the things taught to them.  What we are seeing in today’s world, is a rapid abandonment of Godly values.

Those who were perhaps raised in the church, have chosen not to embrace God for themselves.  Instead, many who are in this current generation (Millennials) have essentially dismissed the idea of Christianity or God.  As a result, there has and continues to be a decline in both morality and Godly values.  However, God is still desirous of a generation that will stand up for Him and His words.

Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world, which means that the invitation to receive salvation stands to this day.  While it is quite clear that many have chosen to walk away from God and abandon the precepts that God has put into place, there are still those who God has chosen to be set apart.  The main encouragement we should bear in mind is that we are fighting in a spiritual battle.

In Ephesians 6: 10-18, the Apostle Paul gives an illustration of what fighting in this spiritual battle consists of.  Paul uses the imagery of a Roman solider because, during his time, it was the norm to see soldiers that wore the battle gear as Paul describes.  In that scripture, the Apostle Paul mentions “The Full Armor of God“.  What is the Full Armor of God?  It can be summed up in 6 parts:

1. The belt of truth
2. The breastplate of righteousness
3. The shoes fitted with the gospel of peace
4. The shield of faith
5. The helmet of Salvation
6. The sword of the Spirit (word of God)

While these are metaphorical in their context, each part is used to describe the spiritual application.  The point that Paul is making concerning the Full Armor of God is that we must stand firm in what we believe, and we must do battle in the Spirit.  This means, that we must fight the good fight of faith, in a spiritual sense.  We who are in Christ are called to be separate from the world, and to hold our ground.  Although society continues to evolve, Christians should not change or compromise the truth of God for satan’s lies.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, that Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but His words will not pass away.  The things of this Earth, and the changing patterns of our world are all temporal, but God’s Word will always be true.  Even if various laws are passed to encourage sinful behavior, and many turn away, only the truth of God will remain. Those who indulge and promote sinfulness will at some point pay a heavy price.  However, Jesus Christ died so that we wouldn’t have to pay that price.

Those who are in Christ must take a stand just as those who came before us did.  Jesus Christ bled on the cross for you and I, which means that if we participate in what the world deems to be good, then the cross of Christ becomes meaningless. Even those who are without Christ, you don’t have to perish because of your sin.  You can be redeemed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

All of humanity has an opportunity to receive salvation and redemption – but it is a conscious decision to forsake the things of the world to embrace Christ.  The world is continuing to decay, and perilous times will increase as we live in the last days. The many tragedies that we see daily, will continue to grow worse because of the rampant sinfulness that has stretched worldwide. However, for those of us who are in Christ, we must stand until the very end. The reward for standing firm, is eternal life, God being pleased with you, and the message of Jesus Christ being spread through you in what you say and how you live.

Born Again – A Spiritual Rebirth

11 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Spiritual

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When a mother conceives and eventually gives birth, the child that is released from the Mother’s womb experiences life in this world for the first time. However, it isn’t just an ordinary life, but it is a life that is brand new.  Each child that is born comes into the world as a new participant in many of the options that life has made available.  The birth of a child is a joyous moment for many because it represents a new beginning.

However, in addition to a physical birth that you and I have experienced when we were born, there is a birthing experience that takes place in the spiritual sense.  This is called, being “born again.”  What does mean to be born again mean? In John chapter 3, Jesus is speaking to a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus.  Jesus has a dialog with Nicodemus in which He teaches him the concept of “being born again.” 

John 3: 1-6 says:

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again.”

In this passage, Nicodemus pondered the very idea of being born again.  It was a concept that he did not understand, but Jesus makes it clear that a human cannot be reborn in the physical sense.  To be born again means to experience a spiritual rebirth. He goes on to use the phrase “being born of the water and the spirit”. Before examining what being born again means, we must first understand a key point which ties into the need for salvation or a spiritual rebirth.

When Adam & Even sinned in the Garden of Eden, their actions produced the element of sin and sinful nature.  After the fall of man in Genesis 1, sin was not only introduced into the world, but every human became a by-product of the original action of sin. Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” The songwriter David, says in this verse that he is born into sin and he was shaped in iniquity.  Even in Psalm 58:3, David says that the wicked are born “estranged” from the womb, or born from their mother’s womb.  He also says in the verse, that they go astray after birth, speaking lies.  This is because of the sinful nature that resides within us.  We are all born into sin because of the original disobedience of Adam & Eve.

With sin being our original state after birth, there is then a need for salvation or as Jesus said, “being born again”.  The spiritual re-birthing according to Jesus requires that we be born of water and the spirit.  What does He mean? First, water in this context means the “washing by God’s word.” In Ephesians 5: 25-26, the Apostle Paul is giving instructions to husbands concerning their wives.

He says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,”  When Paul says, the phrase, “Washing with the water through the word” he is referring to the cleansing power of God’s word.  God’s word is powerful and has the ability to cleanse us through conviction and even instruction.  The Bible provides each believer and even nonbeliever with an opportunity to receive healing, direction, and a better way of living.  It is through the institution of God’s word into our lives, that we are able to avoid the sin that separates us from God.

Secondly, Jesus says to Nicodemus that we must be born of the Spirit.  Being born of the Spirit involves accepting Christ as Lord and Savior.  This then allows the Holy Spirit to take residence in our lives, which means that upon salvation we are then born of the Spirit.

Titus 3: 3-7 says,

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

The Apostle Paul gives descriptions in this scripture of what behaviors and sinful activity he himself and others he was speaking to, exhibited before receiving Christ.  Basically, if you are not in Christ, then you are subject to your sinful nature.  However, after you receive Christ as your savior, you are then reborn in the Spirit which is through the residence of the Holy Spirit. Essentially, to be reborn there must be a conversion from death which is from your sinful nature to life which is through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

So, Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross gives every person an opportunity to be reborn spiritually.  While you and I are born into this world through the flesh, we can be reborn in the Spirit because as Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Spirit gives birth to the Spirit”. This means, you can be reborn through the Holy Spirit once you accept Christ. The great thing about being reborn is that you are no longer a slave to your sin.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature.  This means, that your sin, and the burden of the guilt that you carry is no more.

All of us have an opportunity to be born again which means that through Christ we can be made new.  As long as we remain in our sinful nature, then we will produce the fruit of which we were born which is corruption.  However, once we have accepted Christ and are living life by the Spirit, then our behaviors and our heart begins to change.  The best way to live and to have a life that is full of abundance is to do so after being born again. It is a life that brings joy, satisfaction, and ultimately you are no longer bound to the sin that you were born into.

God Wants a Relationship With You Instead of Organized Religion

08 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Christianity, Church, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Love

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The term “Christianity” has been dubbed as one of the world’s most dominant religions or religious affiliations.  By societal standards, it is classified as a religion just as Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.  For centuries, many have seen Christianity through the eyes of religious works and a set of church rules and regulations.  However, religion or religious activity is not something that should be named among Christians.

If we look back at the very beginning of human creation, God had a relationship with Adam & Eve because He was with them in the Garden of Eden. God desires to have a relationship with every human being.  It is the essence of communing with God through prayer, worship, and reading of His Holy word.  There are examples of those in the Bible who had an authentic relationship with God.  One example being that of Moses:

In Exodus 33, Moses is tasked with telling the Israelites of God’s displeasure with them.  While God spoke of His promise which was to give the Israelites the land which had been promised to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, He also showed displeasure with their sin.  In verse 5, God calls the Israelites a “Stiff necked people” meaning that they were living in sin and disobedience. God gives Moses a command to tell the Israelites to go to the land flowing of Milk and Honey (verse 3) but God also warns that if they go, He may not protect them from the enemies on the path to the Promised Land because of their sinfulness. Going further into Exodus 33, we can see that Moses and God have a conversation, and Moses ultimately asks to see God’s physical presence:

The first part of verse 11 says: “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”

In verses 12-17 it says:

“Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

The key part of those verses involved God’s statement “I know you by name”.  This suggests that because Moses and God already had a relationship, that Moses was known by God.  Another examination of this text involves Moses asking the question about being distinguished (different) from everyone else on the face of the Earth.  Essentially, it is God’s presence that creates a difference in the life of every believer.  Having a relationship with God and abiding in His presence creates a separation from the world.

One final point to make about Moses and God’s relationship is that in verses 18-24, Moses asks to see the Glory of God.  However, because God is so powerful He cannot show humanity His face, so instead Moses sees the backside of God.

What can be noted based on the account of Moses and God, is that Moses had an authentic relationship and encounter with God.  That is what many Christians should be experiencing. The world views Christianity as a religion in part, because many have lived their lives as such.  Religion suggests that there is a specific pattern or way of operating. However, relationship involves an actual encounter with someone which means that there is openness in communication and daily living.

Religion only appeases those who are living based on rules or rituals.  While God gives every believer a set of expectations and commands to live by, God does not want us to live by a legalistic approach.  Organized religions live based on legalism which means that there is a strict adherence to law based on behaviors.  In Colossians 2: 20-23, the Apostle Paul actually discourages legalism in the body of Christ:

“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.” 

The key difference between legalism and relationship is that having a relationship with God, automatically alters your behaviors because your heart becomes more like God’s. If you are operating out of a human based system of living, then your behaviors will be changed without having a change within your heart.  That is something God does through relationship.

The lesson that we can learn from Moses is that we must actively pursue God for His presence.  The way to escape the entrapment of religiosity or religious practices, is to understand that God wants to know you and be known by you.  How does that happen? Through daily prayer and an earnest worship unto God. Talking to God is like talking to another human being.  If you don’t have active communication with your friends or family, then the relationship dies.  Or if you don’t communicate with someone you don’t know, you don’t have access to who they are.

God wants to reveal Himself to every human being.  However, He won’t badger or force you into a relationship with Him.  God desires that we love Him for who He is – not through the motions of religion or rituals.  However, through actual daily encounters with God.  The world has some of their accusations correct in that, Christianity has become a religion.  Unfortunately many churches have bought into that claim.

However, true Christianity isn’t a religion, but it is a collective and individual body of believers who have chosen to seek after the things of God. The purpose for gathering in a corporate setting weekly, is to add strength between fellow believers, and to increase accountability in your walk with the Lord.  If you want to be distinguished from the world as Moses desired, then seek after God.  He gives you an opportunity to have a better life, and a relationship that surpasses anything you can even imagine.