Instant Gratification

 

1 Peter 1:3-5

How can a Nation, or a people who expect instant gratification hope to be thankful?   We are that kind of people, we carry cell phones and expect an instant reply, when cooking we use premixed or precooked because we cannot wait.  We may not have noticed but it is in all aspects of our life, and we trained our children like birds dogs to expect the immediate.  This life style is in direct conflict with our Father in heaven.  He tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  (Psalm 46:10)  Have you tried being still and pondering on the “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready in the last time?”  (1 Peter 1:4-5) 

Folks, it is a clash of kingdoms, yours and God’s, He is not your grandparent, His goal is not to make you happy, His objective is to bring each of us into a relationship in where we are being conformed to the likeness of His Son.  If only we would believe that Jesus tells the truth, and the truth is: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  (John 10:10)  The enemy of your soul has a design for your life called busyness, not being still or thankful for the many blessings that are yours. 

Have you stopped and observed the world you are living in, and if you have then you have noticed that the enemy is on top of his game.  It matters not where we are; driving a car, at the movies, in church, or shopping, the cell phones are ringing, people are Texting and they are consumed with the instantaneous.  Do we Christians understand that relationships are not established on instant messages; friendships happen when we take time to value, to enjoy, and to share with the one who is the object of our time.  To know about God is one thing, many claim they know about God, but to know Him will require time spent searching His word, searching your heart to see if you are willing to obey and conform to His instructions, to His commands.

Verse three states; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy he has called us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  If you are in Christ, this living hope, this inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading is not kept on this earth, in fact it is not yours to keep, God is the keeper of your inheritance in heaven.  Faith is believing that Jesus tells the truth, and when Jesus tells you that no one can snatch you out of His hand or His Father’s hand, please understand, you are included in that mix.  You may need to read John 10:28-29.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice