We've Considered An Agenda Change

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief ~ Proverbs 14:12-13

We all have a reason for everything we do.  God calls it the "intent of our heart".  Without being confronted, how often will we investigate or control ours?  Will we consider our perception regarding:  "What is in it for us?"  and "What is in it for the other person/s?" When we are utilizing the fruit of the spirit, self control, we will do this on the front end; not when being called on the carpet by another or convicted, as the Holy Spirit is grieved.

We know that God is patient, and His mercy and grace endures forever.  Many people believe that there is always time to do what they want today, then just before dying they can repent once and for all. Maybe that is nothing more than putting a selfish spin on Christ dying once for all (1Peter 3:18).When it comes to our perception of God, some of us humanize His character and motivations to justify our ambivalence toward Him.

We pervert the "intent of God's heart" concerning money, time, relationships, decisions and what we do to have fun.  We call what we want good and Him too controlling, or evil by doing that. The truth is, He is not interested in placing burdens upon us, no matter what we lie we are willing to plaster on Him.  I am not making this stuff up, here are just a couple of ways He tried to tell us:

 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?

These scriptures, when overwhelmed sound amazing, that is why we call it "amazing grace".   At that point we shout "YES! Hook me up to some Jesus-Amen!" Or maybe it is when we face the end of life in some way; we all are unsettled by death for one reason or another. 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? With no other options on the table but heaven or hell,  we could say right or left, accepting Jesus Christ, as savior, just makes good sense, if that is what we chose. When given an option between no more sorrow, death, crying or pain, verses, utter darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, who would not chose Heaven over Hell.

Here is what we do not stop to think about: 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 handed them a map called Short Cut to "the other entrance".  I will even take it a bit further and consider: What if Satan said "We are changing the environment of Hell,  misery, torment and eternal damnation are off the agenda now".  "But wait, there's more~ AND you can continue to be focused on yourself,  And not have to mess with "other peoples" feelings"!  Can't you hear people shouting and applauding "I'm in ~ it sounds like a hell of a place!"

What he/Satan 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 a person will be getting something in return.  They will protect you as long as you have something to offer them.  But that is not real, if they trust in that they are foolish - so ultimately nothing will be real, not even their own motives. (not to mention, there is not another entrance)

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 on the front end.  His loving kindness and suffering was devalued and counted as nothing.  Just like God's love for us, which is what empowered Christ to be able to do this.  He/Christ in return values our lives and counts what we've done as nothing in light of the possibilities / Gods mercy and grace.  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. Why do you think Christ told us that this conversation will happen:

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

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 those whom you've taken from? That is how we demonstrate, as Christ did, that God is at the helm of our life not us.


If not being able share in the spotlight; getting something in return; if it is a struggle to delay getting what you want prior to giving toward something else seems unfair; or if you cannot defend yourself when someone accuses you, but rather, just have to own it for what it is - not being able to at least insert your efforts, can commonly become deal breakers for you ......Then I'd say, "You are in a hell of a place my friend!"

Today, I pray that we may 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


                   

© 2015 by Candace Huffmaster

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