Tag Archives: Technology

Access Granted – What Happens When You Have a Relationship With God?

17 Friday Jul 2015

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

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ID-10046524In the late 20th century and even into the 21st century, technology has encompassed the implementation of securing information and transactions. One of the main methods used as a part of secure technology is that of having a username and a password. When accessing data that is considered to be private, it is critical to authenticate a user’s information so that the data remains classified to the general public. If you have sensitive information, only you should have access to such information because your access is granted based on your username and your password. Anyone who does not have access to your account or user information will be denied.

When it comes to our spiritual well-being, God treats every individual in the same way. Basically, the way to access Heaven, eternal life, and divine security here on Earth is through Jesus Christ. When you and I make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord & personal Savior, we will then have access to everything that God desires for us. In Matthew Chapter 7 verses 21-23, Jesus gives us the disposition that God has and will have toward anyone who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior:

(ESV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

When you look at this scripture, there are a few things that are clear that all of us should strongly consider:

1. It isn’t just about invoking the name of the Lord – Jesus clearly says in verse 21 that not everyone who calls out to Him, “Lord, Lord” will enter into the Kingdom Heaven. This means that just because the name of the Lord is invoked, doesn’t mean that God recognizes the individual who is calling out to Him. Take for instance the earlier example of entering a username and a password to access an account.  If you are trying to access someone else’s account, it won’t work without their username and password. So, as hard as you may try, you won’t have access without the correct information.

God treats humanity in the same way in that, the only way to God is through Jesus Christ.  Notice what else Jesus says in this scripture when he says, “but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  After you have accepted Christ as your Lord & Savior, there is more that should take place. Your words and your actions should line up with what you have professed. God isn’t just concerned with what you say, but He is concerned with your heart and the actions that are a result of your relationship with God. 

2. We are not saved by works – For quite some time, the idea that one can be saved through works alone has been accepted as a barometer for salvation.  However, Jesus says that on the day of judgment there will be many who will give God a list of their own examples of what they have done, which they think will be sufficient for entering into Heaven.  However, works that a person does is not what qualifies a person to enter into eternal rest with God. Ephesians 2:9 in the NLT version says, “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

The above scripture clearly states that salvation is not contingent upon our works, because if it were then it would be used as a tool to boast in our own abilities. Also, if salvation were based on works and not grace, then the sacrifice of Jesus Christ would not have been necessary.

It is important to note that a person’s works and service unto God is a product of a changed heart through Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says that you will know the tree by the fruit it bears.  Basically, actions matter in the sense that it is a reflection of what is in a person’s heart.  For your actions to change, you must spend time in prayer, worship, and the reading of God’s Word.  By doing so on a daily basis, your heart begins to change because you are drenching yourself in the presence of God.

3. God does not recognize anyone who is not associated with Jesus Christ – It goes back to the example of using the correct username and password.  If a user has the correct access, then they will be granted permission to the information within the account. In Matthew 7:23, Jesus tells us what will happen if someone does not have a relationship with God through Christ: “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”  

Our recognition by God is based on His son Jesus Christ.  If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord & Savior, then God will not recognize you as His own on your judgment day. God wants to know you for your allegiance and relationship with Him through Christ. There are many who do good works, but their heart has not been changed through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. In order for you and I to be received by God, our lives must be intertwined with Jesus Christ in the remission of our sins.

So then, what happens when you have a relationship with God?

1. You have access to His blessings and protection – Once you have decided to accept Christ in the pardon of your sins, you have become a child of God.  Like a daughter or a son has access to the inheritance of their father, you will have an inheritance that God will provide to you.  This even involves being protected from the snares of the enemy. Protection comes from being on the side of the one who the Psalmist David often references in the context of being His protector.  The one who protects and delivers is the almighty God.

2. The life you live becomes a testament of God’s love for humanity – If you are actively pursuing God and spending time developing your relationship with Him, then your life will transform before the eyes of the world. One of the great things about salvation is that it isn’t just limited to you, but it is for the entire world. The salvation that God offers can be portrayed in your life by how you live and what you say.

3. God’s purpose for your life is revealed to you – Every life on Earth has a specific purpose for being.  However, there are many who never discover what they were made to do or the impact that they can have in God’s Kingdom. By having a relationship with God, your purpose for the sake of God’s Kingdom is not only revealed, but it is completed as you live daily.

Do you have access to God through Jesus Christ? There are so many who have tried to access God through other means. Some have tried it by religiously attending church services.  Others have tried it by serving in various ministries in order to perform “good works.” Then there are even those who believe that you can be saved and spared from Hell just by being a “good person.” The mistake in all of these methods is that they do not include an adherence to God, nor do they exhibit one’s need to be saved from their sin.

Jesus Christ gave His life for you so that you could have everlasting life. However, the gift of salvation is freely given for you to accept voluntarily. You cannot receive salvation by your own good works or by living morally.  The only guidelines and way of living that apply to eternal salvation are the precepts that God has put into place. Accept Christ, and you will be granted access to a changed heart, a changed mind, and a changed life.

The Connection That Gives Life

02 Tuesday Jun 2015

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

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ID-10011760Technology has become a prevalent part of how we live in our day-to-day lives. There is a concerted emphasis on utilizing the internet for research, entertainment, and social networking. Our lives have become centered around the very use of technology to the point where it is now a way of life. However, there is one thing that technology must encompass in order for it to exist and function, and that is a connection.

All technological devices that require any sort of electricity requires a connection.  Even with wireless technology, at some point there must be a connection that either replenishes the energy supply or maintains the electrical current so that the connection is consistent. Without the connection, then the device in question will no longer function.  Our lives are also examples of what it looks like when we do not have the divine connection that only Jesus Christ can give us.

In John 15, Jesus is teaching His Disciples about the various principles as it relates to how they should live and how the world will respond to their decision to follow Christ.  However, for the purposes of this post, the focus will be on verses 1-8.  In these key verses, Jesus uses the illustration of a vine and its branches.  In verses 1-4 Jesus says in the NIV,

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Jesus is saying that he is the “True Vine” or the one that provides life to the branches. There are two things that should be noted in the illustration of the branches and the vine:

1. A connection with Jesus Christ produces life – The key phrase to focus on here is “remain in me.” Jesus said in verse 4, that no one can bear fruit unless they remain in the true vine.  Jesus Christ is the True Vine, which means he provides the connection for all of us to be productive and to have life. Just as a plug into an electrical socket produces an electrical connection to a device, our lives produce life when we are connected to Jesus Christ.  We cannot have life abundantly within ourselves or without Christ.  So many are seeking other connections in our world system, seeking a fulfilled life. However, it is impossible to have true fulfillment outside of Jesus Christ. The sin filled world that we live in offers various methods to produce a version of “life.” Unfortunately, many take what is given as truth and believe that they can have life in the way that is promoted by the world.  Jesus made it very clear that without a connection to Him (the True vine) fruit or life cannot be produced.  Verse 5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Apart from Christ, we can do nothing because He is the power source.

2. A life without a connection to Jesus Christ produces a spiritual death – If you were to turn on a television that was unplugged or it did not have a power source, you would find that the television would remain in the off position.  That is because the television’s power source is not connected. Without a connection or power source, the television becomes worthless, which means it is a candidate to be thrown away. However, when a connection occurs, the television has power to operate which means that it is functioning in its capacity and purpose.  Jesus says in verse 6, “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” The concept that Christ mentions here involves a person’s life that is not connected to God through Jesus Christ.  In the earlier verse, Jesus says that God who is the gardener, prunes or cuts every branch that does not bear fruit.  Anyone who is not connected to God through Christ, will face the consequence of a life that is destined for destruction.  The pathway in this life is either life or death in the spiritual sense.  There are many who have chosen to live their lives disconnected from Christ, and as a result they suffer short and long-term consequences. 

The promise that Jesus gives to us is that if we remain or abide in Him, then we will bear much fruit.  Verses 7-8 says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Our lives are meant to bear much fruit, and we can be the beneficiaries of God’s blessings.  However, this can only come if we are connected to God through Jesus Christ. 

God is the ultimate power source, but in order to have a life that is fulfilled you must be plugged in through Jesus.  All around us, a world is steadily in decay and decline. Morality and even godly values are no longer held to the highest standard.  Now, a lifestyle of your own choosing and living to please yourself is what has become acceptable. However, those who live a life in disconnection from Jesus only find themselves in a state of confusion.

Various sins which are now considered to be acceptable, only lead to the fruit of pain and chaos.  However, Jesus offers life which is built upon stability and peace.  Just as a device shows its ability to function properly when it is connected, our lives function properly when we are connected to Christ.  If you have already accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior, then you already know the benefits and the power that comes from being connected to Jesus.

However, if you have not, I encourage you to connect yourself to the True Vine.  A life without Christ is one that lacks meaning, order, and joy.  A life with Christ is one that produces much fruit, and at the end of your days on Earth you will have eternal security for your soul.  Choose life by choosing the connection that gives life, and that is Jesus Christ.