A Title does not change Ones Life

Isaiah 55:6-9

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:6-9 ESV)

We who go by the title of Christian, are we that much different than our neighbor who never darkens the door of a church?  For many a person who is not church related seems morally good, goes to work and provides for their family, and often is a better neighbor than the person who attend worship services.  First, it seems necessary to state a title does not change ones life, a title may just make one arrogant or even misguided.  It may come as a surprise to some that Christianity is not passed down from grandparents or parents, it is not even a creed to live by it is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Maybe it is the personal part many have passed looking for a way to earn what is freely given without cost, but it is in no way easy, it requires a heart transplant, a relenting of your will, and seeking forgiveness through confession of your transgressions.   This is a good definition of “Personal’: “belonging to a particular person rather than to anyone else.”  Who do you belong to?  I once belonged to Satan, I was not aware of this for he is one smooth dude, but once I understood, once the Spirit of God opened my eyes to whom I was a follower of, I had a choice, and I chose Jesus.

You may have never read Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”  This is your invitation from Jesus Christ, to seek Him now, to call upon Him while He is near, confess your independent ways of trying to get your needs met outside of Christ, for He is faithful to His word.  “For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Being a follower of Christ in no way means perfection, it may cost you greatly, but in the worst of times, the Spirit of Christ will never leave or forsake you.  Christians will battle the flesh and its desires, and they will have conflicts in this world, for this is not our home, we are just passing through.  The words of verse eight are a great reminder of who is in charge: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice