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In my journey with the Lord, I do not question anything about Him, only those who choose to call themselves Christian yet whose lives reflect the world. We all know what that looks like. Those who choose to preach, teach and minister all have their own spin on God’s word. And they are fully persuaded that their way is the right way. Nevertheless, there so many of us full of hate because of the state of the world? I have to say we, because the body of Christ is the lot of us. We, who believe in the Son of God. Seriously, how can a seasoned believer read the Scriptures and not understand the state of our society and the state of man? No one should be shocked by anthing in this world. If anything we should be able to encourage each other as the days grow ever so evil. We should not be fighting evil but trusting in the living God who will protect us in the evil.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21
We all know, at least one person in each of the categories listed, who exhibit the works of the flesh. That is all of us!
Nothing happening today should catch us unaware. As the heart of man grows ever colder, we should not expect a Christian to show or express the love of God. “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12
Yes, I do question the genuineness of the believer when it comes to their walk. We can throw the fruits of the Spirit out as identifiers, because of the piles of fake fruit everywhere you go. Specifically, I take issue with the way the image of Christ is portrayed to the world. Is that not just so judgmental?
Yes. And I don’t want to have this attitude. But it is time to get real about and with the living God. But regardless, the Lord uses the various mindsets to help me understand who I am in Him, in this world, and who He is and is not. I am the one who questions the traditions of men. Why?
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:12-15
Because so many of us are attached to the traditions of men we are hardpressed to acknowledge that we may be living according to the flesh and not the gospel of Jesus Christ. The signs are everywhere. That’s not me saying that but the Scriptures. Oh, those itching ears.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
It begs the question, if God is everything we claim, why do we struggle so much to live for Him? Why is it so hard to live a godly life? The Scriptures tell us why we struggle. The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). True Christians worship God in spirit and in truth. Can you find the Spirit and truth in the physical church? Well, it’s still possible, but not likely.
I question myself, the genuiness of my walk, my own shortcomings in fully understanding the intricate workings of a living God. I know that I am not alone in my struggle. I had a difficult time separating the traditions of men from the teachings of Jesus Christ. I read articles of today and books written decades ago and the story of man has not changed. Encouragment (Not positive affirmations) in the things of God is fundamental to our transformation to the image of Christ. So, even today that transformation demands we discern what we are taught. The Pharisees, Sadducees, Romans etc… they know their end.
Nevertheless, what is the purpose? If I learn to worship my Lord, and love Him with all my heart and all my soul, how does that affect my relationship with others? Is the purpose of God’s love only for my good? We know the answer to that question. Is it only for me to walk holy? What of all the other hurting souls that I pass by on the street? Christians sit in their pews and listen to the preacher, sing a few songs all the while hurting people surround them, crying out, and many serve up only judgment. All this under the tutelage of conservativism, a.k.a. traditions of men. The right blames the left for the ills of society, and the left blames the right, and no one wins. And no one is right. When these battles of the wits do not work, folks resort to physical violence. I am reminded of the Star Trek episode Day of the Dove (Both humans and Klingons have been lured to a planet by a formless entity that feeds on hatred and has set about to fashion them into a permanent food supply for itself). Fueling the fire is the devil. Let’s face it he has no shortage of manpower. Many times we believe we are doing the Lord’s work and we arn’t. There were times the Israelites went into battle only to lose, many lives. They trusted in their human egos rather than God. Fighting for morality in America, and in this world, is a war in futility. Morality has everything to do with the condition of the heart. And the Scripture says the heart of man is continually evil. Not that we want evil hearts, or to live in an evil society but whatever vomit projectiles from our mouth that is what’s in our heart. How great is that darkness.
I know that my Lord loves me, even when I am not worthy. I am told that I should be fully immersed in the spirit, in the word, and in His presence. We are encouraged to walk in the spirit so we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Is that even possible in this world? Still, that is where my being longs to be. That is a desire the Lord can get behind. Does God really need me to be completely trained before he can use me? He said to be ready in season and out of season. Being prepared to share the message of hope that is found in Christ Jesus is not difficult. You share how the Lord transformed your heart and mind. It can be done with words or with actions. What prevents us from sharing is often the troubles of this world which can get overwhelming and distracting. And the devil wants nothing more than to destroy our faith. But all we need is mustard seed faith. We live in a world full of systems created to guide us, protect us and in the end destroy us. It’s called the tribulation. There is no delaying what God has already spoken. But the Lord said He would save us. That’s what I hold on to.
People say God is love. They say, Jesus loves you. The Scripture says that love is patient and kind. It (love) does not envy or parade itself. It is not puffed up; it does not behave rudely, nor seeks its own. It is not provoked. It thinks no evil, nor does it rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Passing judgment on others is easier than loving them. Isn’t it?
“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Jesus told us to love our enemies. (Mat. 5)” Who do you consider an enemy? He told us to forgive seventy, times seven. But it is a difficult thing to do, if the Lord is not in control and sometimes even when He is in control. So, we fall short of the glory of God. But God is faithful.
The kingdom of heaven is here. To God be the glory!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Come back as I share more of my journey.
Living in the Last Hour 
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