Living in God's World... |
"In the Beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth." - Genesis 1:1 |
We live in the world created by God. The world is His Creation. It is God’s masterpiece. He created the Sun...the Moon...the dirt we walk on. |
We breathe air created by Him. We live in space created by Him…drink His created water…exist in His created time. We live in bodies He created. We are living in His cause and effect culture. We worship in His Spirit…in His world. |
Because our creator loves us, He has written a book of love letters telling us how to live in His world…in His Kingdom on Earth. |
God loves us and has given us the freedom to love Him…or not love Him. He loves us, but he does not want forced obedience. He covets voluntary love and obedience. He desires the loving affection of His children. |
As Christians, our purpose in life should be to glorify God…to look for ways to please Him. We should adore Him...honor Him...love Him. |
We should seek His Kingdom…we should accept His invitation to live in His Kingdom…to live like JESUS…this side of Heaven. |
Love in earthly terms is invariably tied to self-interest. We talk about falling in love or out of love. We feel affection for someone when that person provides a benefit for us. Self-centered love always seeks its own good. Rarely does someone sacrifice themselves for someone else. When sacrifice is made, a touch of eternal love is experienced. |
Rare indeed do the relationships in this world rise to such love and self-sacrifice. |
| Yet, that’s exactly what JESUS did for you. He turned the definition of love up-side down. God’s love is based on selflessness. He did not go to the cross to serve Himself. He went to the cross to be an example…a model to show us the way to break-free from the power of ego and the love of self. (Ego is a big smoking red fire-breathing dragon that lies silently; waiting to eat us alive.) |
| We must crucify our ego and allow JESUS to be our life...DYING WE LIVE. We must die to self before we can experience Kingdom Living...Heaven on Earth. The time Christians have after salvation, before we die, is our "inbetween" time...time granted to us before we are promoted to Glory. |
| How should those of us who call ourselves Christians use our "inbetween" time? As Christians we should use this time chasing our dream of wanting to be like JESUS. As Christians we should use our "inbetween" time attempting to create, with the best of our effort, God's Kingdom on Earth...starting in our home...praying without ceasing... |
"Thy Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven." |
| "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." - Luke 12: 27-31 |
| "Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?" - Act 7:49-50 |
By giving His children freedom to choose, God has decided to limit His powers; He has chosen to let us live decent lives or evil lives. He has allowed us to take the risk of making bad decisions. |
In freedom, He has given us the opportunity to love Him…to be like JESUS. We are free to make our relationship with Him meaningful. |
Is not the desire to be like JESUS the highest ideal of the Christian life? |
What an incredible plan! |
God has provided a choice that is obviously in our self-interest, but He has framed it in a way that shows our love for Him and satisfies the deepest desires of our heart. |
What is His Plan? |
His Plan is a man. |
That man is JESUS. |
Do you want to be like JESUS?
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| "The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdome of their Father." - Matthew 13:43 |
| "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." - Daniel 12:3 |
| It is God who makes His children righteous. He declares us royalty ... Kings and Queens who will reign with Jesus the Christ, the King of Kings. We will join the Saints in Heaven, glorify God...forever and ever. |
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