In this world, people are very touchy about what we say to
them. They think that we are trying to proselytize them, if we even mention
anything about God or Christ. We are simply living out who we are, and they
accuse us of judging them. Of course, if they would join us, they would
understand that Jesus is not our hobby or our crutch. Christ is our very life (Colossians 3:4).
We are not trying to impose our beliefs on anyone. We are
just living out the truth of God’s Word. We do not condemn their behavior or
their person, but offer them the opportunity to trust Christ and to enjoy the
wondrous life He provides for His children (Ephesians 4:13). When we repent and believe
in Christ (Mark 1:15),
we no longer live as part of this world, even though we still live in it (John 17:16).
We no longer attempt to earn His acceptance by our
performance to His standards. We are already accepted in His beloved family, by
faith and not by works (Ephesians
1:6, 2:8-10). God placed the weight of the vilest sin upon His own
shoulders and He paid our penalty for us. We accept Christ’s atoning work for
our salvation, and then choose to live in total surrender to God’s will.
Jesus freed us from deprivation, degradation and
devastation in this life. He allows us to walk in a new life in Him (Romans 6:4). His
anointing in us and through us breaks the yoke of bondage to sin and deception (Isaiah 10:27). His
Spirit enables us to obey God’s will, by living in and through us (Galatians 2:20). Let
us seek His direction for our life and not allow earthly concerns to sway us
from His ways (Luke
9:57-62, 14:26-33).
Prayer:
Father God, true surrender to You always supercedes our natural devotion to
job, family or friends. We forsake all for you (Luke 14:33). We know without a doubt that
You will meet the needs of our family and friends as we focus on Your will for
our life. Keep us from failing to totally surrender to You, and enable us to
experience the fullness of Your love for us.
Thought for the Day:
God listens to and understands our prayers
and knows exactly how to answer them.
