What Are You Here For?

Forgive me this wrong!  Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.  ~ 2 Corinthians 12: 13b,14

As I have been studying these past few months, there have been consistencies which rise to the top of it all.  Today, I am attempting to articulate one main thought: What are you here for? 

We all have a reason for "everything" we do; there is no skirting the fact.  What is yours?
Out from that let me ask you to consider these questions: "What is in it for you?"  and "What is in it for the other person/s?"

Some of us think God wants things from us; our money tops the list.  Maybe you think he wants your worship, your possessions, you to act right, you to serve Him, charitably.  God does not want to burden us.  You don't have to believe me, He said many times, in many ways. Here are a couple:

  1 John 5:3: For this is the love of God, that we keep Him commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 

Matthew 11:29,30 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light?

We hear these scriptures, when overwhelmed, and think "YES! Hook me up to some Jesus-Amen!" Maybe it is when we face the end of life in some way; we all are unsettled by death. For some of us there was a time when we were afraid, if we were to die, we would go to hell.  For others they have pondered "if" there might actually BE a hell. However we got to the intersection, the road narrowed and we had a decision to make: Heaven or hell?

In that defining moment Heaven or hell, left or right, no other options on the table, accepting Jesus Christ, as savior, just makes good sense; agreed?  When given an option between no more sorrow, death, crying or pain, verses, utter darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, everyone would snatch the free ticket into the golden gate city.

Here is the thing though: Those travelers only want what they receive from Christ.  I would venture as far to say, they would just as soon choose Satan if he had the ticket or said, misery, torment and eternal damnation are off the agenda now.  In fact, I think it would seal the deal if he gave the "but wait, that's not all spiel": AND you can continue to be focused on yourself; AND not have to mess with "other peoples" feelings"!  I can hear people saying, "I'm in ~ it sounds like a hell-of-a-place!"

What he doesn't want them to see is this:  When all the true Christians are gone, there will be no one they can trust,  except when that person will be getting something in return.  They will protect you as long as you have something to offer.  But that is not real, if they trust in that they are fools - so ultimately no one, not even their own motives.

When a person hears the truth of the gospel and understands that Christ came because we had no hope of escaping eternal separation from the Holy One.  He, Christ, had to allow us to take everything He was given and giving with no return at all. His loving kindness and suffering was devalued and counted as nothing.  He in return values our lives and counts what we've done as nothing in light of the possibilities.  To this day we continue to defend ourselves, distort His character and refuse to accept the gravity of who we really act like.  But God is patient, Christ sympathizes and the Holy Spirit, though grieving, keeps on keeping on 24/7, within/ for the one(believer) who's focus isn't on being saved, but on knowing the ONE who saves.  

It is only these people who will, in fact, BE saved; the others won't have spent time with Him, getting to know Him and changing into the image of the recognized Son of God, as the result of their time together.  And it is by His name, character and integrity that we are indeed becoming the Sons of God.

If I can have just a few more seconds: Please think about what you are here for: Is it that you desire not to be seen in all your shamefulness, or if you see your shamefulness, are you repulsed to the point of giving back all that you've taken plus interest to them?

If being second, not being able to have fun if you are second, or maybe never being noticed for your efforts is a deal breaker - as a common thing, I'd say you are in a hell-of-a-place my friend!

May we all do more than "know" we are sinners; may we BE ever changing, day by day, till He returns for US. For He is our Father, He is "here for us" and will not be a burden upon us.  Amen!

Kisses,
Candace

 

© Candace Huffmaster 2015, All Copy Rights Reserved

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