But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. (1 Peter 3:15 NASB)
The bible tells us to always be ready to give an account to everyone that asks about the hope than is in us. Let me begin by saying to everyone that reads this I love you; but God loves you more. So much more our mere human minds cannot imagine that much love. And He proves His love over and over.
The old hymn “Nobody knows the trouble I see but Jesus” or the more modern “Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side;” that’s Him. People that know Him and have felt His mighty love will express it through word and song. Psalm 100 says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (KJV)
The Bible bears witness of His love through miracles, mercy, and grace for thousands of years. The God that says come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest; yes that’s Him (He wants your attention). God wants to have a relationship with each of us so bad; He wants none of us to perish. But He won’t force you to do anything.
We must choose to serve GOD of our own free will. God chose us, but the Bible also tells us that we must choose Him. As Dwight L. Moody put it, the whosoever wills are the elect, and the whosoever won’ts are the non-elect.” He wants all to believe. Joshua 24:15, “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Isaiah 55:6-7, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
John 1:12-13, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
And Deuteronomy 30:19-20 says, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…”
God knew in advance that because of our choices, we could never receive the gift of salvation and eternal life, except He send His Son Jesus to die (bleed to death for us), rise from the grave (beat death forever); and provide eternal life in Heaven (to continue the relationship). But we still have to make the choice to believe in Jesus to receive this gift. People Jesus is the answer; there is NO other.
In Christ alone can we come to the Father. In Christ alone may we be saved. The song, “This world is not my home. I’m just passing through” describes my hope in the Lord. There is so much more to look forward to and I can’t wait.
I saw a banner once that said, “I’d rather believe in Christ and find out He is a fake; than not believe in Him and find out He is real” (Author Unknown). I know He is real because of what He has done in and through me. I’ve also seen Him manifest Himself through others.
I had a friend recently post something on Facebook regarding a poster of evangelicals that felt a past president is honest and has good morals. He said that’s why he doesn’t go to church. I told him all churches have some issues, but the issues are not of God, but of man. I continued by stating, “the bible speaks of hypocrites, false teachers, etc. but the bottom line is you will know Christians by their fruit. If you love God, you will love your neighbors. If we say we love but do nothing to repent or change who we are or to help others, we deceive ourselves. This picture does not represent the majority of people who love the Lord or go to church. Some churches do it well to include fighting for causes, taking care of the poor, widows, and being inclusive of the foreigners among us. While others seem afraid to stick their necks out for a cause or to integrate. Each person is different, that’s why we won’t go to heaven as churches. We will get to heaven by the grace of God as individuals based on our personal relationship with Him. He would love to have a relationship with each of us. We all should be doing His will on earth, His foot soldiers, and we all will be held accountable based on our obedience. When we do the will of God, we become the body of Christ (one church), and we learn and long to fellowship with and love on each other. By caring for His sheep, we increase His flock. That’s what church is.”
That’s the kind of church Christ wants you and me to be a part of. But we have to get Christ first. I know Him well; He is a Friend of mine; my Lord; my Savior, and my God. If you would like to meet Him or get to know Him better, ask someone with “Light” to tell you how to find Love. That’s just one of His nicknames. If you would like to begin your relationship with Him today, call on His Name; Jesus. He can hear from anywhere, and if your heart is sincere, He’ll show you the Way.
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