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Bridging the Gap between Heaven and Earth
When we look at events happening in today’s world, one has
many opportunities to worry and be concerned. It seems that cataclysmic changes
are occurring on all fronts. Whether it’s the ever changing political arena,
environmental concerns or the declining moral fabric of today’s society, it
seems to be nearly impossible to find a trustworthy constant that one can rely
on as a guide in life. The time has come in which the Church (those who profess
to know God) must come to their senses and make the necessary adjustments in
their relationship towards God in order to fulfill her destiny.
Jesus makes the
following statement, “You are the light of the world.” (Mathew 5:14).
In other words, those who choose to embrace the principles
of life taught by Jesus will themselves illuminate the way to life just as
Jesus did. However, comparing the present day condition of the Church
to the picture portrayed by the Bible one sees two entirely different entities. We, who have accepted the grace offered through Jesus that
brings salvation, must also accept the power of that grace to change our lives
to mirror what the Bible pictures us to be.
Proverbs 25:26 states, “That a righteous man who falters before the
morally wrong, is like a murky spring and a polluted well.”
This, to our shame, is probably how much of the world views
most of Christianity. On the one hand, we embrace and profess holiness,
righteousness, commitment, love, mercy, faithfulness, fear of the Lord and
impending judgment. In reality however,
our lives do not match our beliefs. We
find much of the Christian community embroiled in the same sins and vices of
worldliness. It is therefore our
responsibility to change our current course of life to become an accurate
reflection of the one which we have come to know as our God.
The story of the Prodigal son is much more than a story of
repentance and restoration. There is
also a very clear message to those of God’s household not to leave dormant that
which God has given us.
The younger
brother, although wasting what his Father gifted him with, came to his senses.
He took upon himself the heart of a servant with humility. He returned to his house, confessed his
failure and received forgiveness.
The elder son although faithful to his father’s house, also
wasted his gifting, as he never took the step to partake of his Fathers
blessing, even though his father said, “All that I have is yours.” He had the outward characteristics of a
servant, but not the heart or humility of a son.
The younger son failed to realize the true purpose of his
inheritance and wasted it on personal desire. He wanted the blessing of his
father’s house without any accountability to his father. On the other hand, the
elder son recognized the accountability factor but never took the time to
understand the heart of the father. The younger misdirected the wealth and
power of his father; the elder son failed to employ it in his service and his
life, like his brother, did not show forth the heart of the father. We who are
of the household of God may be a regular in church attendance,
or even serving in some capacity but are we allowing the very heart and power
of God to overtake our lives?
Three Areas Where Our
Senses Need To Be Awakened
1.
We
need a greater sense of the Holy Spirit’s Presence.
Samson became complacent and lost his respect for the
secret place of God’s presence. As
Samson was pressured daily by Delilah to reveal the secret of his strength, he
compromised his vow and the strength of the Lord left him. I believe in much the same way the Church has
lost her respect for the presence of God’s Spirit and compromised her vow of
faithfulness. Many have failed to
realize the empty void that needs to be refilled.
It’s the presence of God’s Spirit that:
Gives us our sense of direction.
Gives us a sense of respect for God.
Gives us access to the life changing power of
the gospel.
Gives us the ability to grow and move foreword in life.
Gives us stability and steadfastness.
Gives joy and peace in midst of trial and
trouble.
Gives us power and strength to live godly lives.
That groans within us in prayer for the lost, the sick and
the weak.
That showers us with compassion and moves us into an active
faith.
In Summary:
Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, we as the people of
God have no sense or depth of conviction. We become satisfied with the status
quo.
2. We need to be awakened to the sovereignty and certainty of
God’s Word.
The word of God is;
A lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
The discerner of our thoughts and intentions.
The power of God that frees us from any and all that opposes
God.
The sword of the spirit.
The word of God gives us hope.
Psalm 119:49
The word of God gives us comfort.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
The healing power of God.
That brings cleansing to our lives.
In Summary: Without a true understanding and working
knowledge of God’s word, we have no ability or credibility.
3. We need to have a greater sense of the perilous times we
live in.
By this statement it is clear that those who are not careful
to maintain a healthy awareness of and an intimate relationship with their
creator will rely on human emotion, human wisdom and human action which can
only bring destruction. As children of
God, we must seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else.
In Summary: 2
Corinthians 13:5 instructs us to examine ourselves and evaluate our faith. Are your knowledge of God’s Word and the
sense of His Spirit real to you? I
encourage you to make the following prayer for your life. Dear God in Heaven, show me the truth and
certainty of Your Word and let Your Holy Spirit bring life to that truth so
that it will become an active reality in my life. Amen.