Our Relationship to God Should not be Circumstance Dependent

 

Our Relationship to God Should not be Circumstance Dependent

 

1 Thessalonian 5:16-18 states “Be joyful always; also, Philippians 4:4 pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

Our basis for this is that Our Past Has Been Taken Care of: 1John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In Psalm 103:12, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

 

Our Present is Provided For: Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (the necessities of life) will be given to you as well.”

 

Our Future is Guaranteed:  In John 5:24, Jesus says: I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.  He also tells us in Ephesians 4:30, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

 

We can also be at Peace: Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christi Jesus.”

 

HAVING GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT LIVING IN US:  Romans 8:9, tells us that the Holy Spirit resides in us the moment we are saved; “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

 

The Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in A VERY DELIGHTFUL LIFE FULL OF FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:  In Galatians 5:22-23, we see, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control illustrated in such a life.

 

 

It is my understanding that Bill Graham often stated that 50% of people in Churches on Sundays do not have a personal relationship with God.  This I have witnessed since the beginning of the coronavirus; the Church, you, and I, have allowed circumstances to control us mostly.   

 

“The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe in recent history.  It is estimated that about 500 million people, or one-third of the world’s population, became infected with this virus. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide, with about 675,000 occurring in the United States. Mortality was high in people younger than 5 years old, 20-40 years old, and 65 years and older. The high mortality in healthy people, including those in the 20-40-year age group, was a unique feature of this pandemic.”  What I read was different, was that people who went by the name of Christian, in other words, the church, took care of those who were sick; they did not lock themselves in their homes, but risked their lives to minister to the sick and dying.  Or as the song goes, they will know we are Christians by wearing a mask and having our groceries delivered.  NO, that is not the song; it goes “They will know we are Christians by our love.”  

 

I am sick of those who tell me when I share Jan and I will obey the law but will not live in fear. But you have to use “Common Sense”.  As I shared with my daughter, what I always believed was Common is no longer Common.  The Church is under attack, and yet people who go by the name Christian are too busy watching the news on the virus to know or care.  How do you distinguish yourself from your lost neighbor, who has every right to be fearful? This is home for him, and many Christians are acting as if earth is their home.  Fear not, for God has promised to watch over you; do you not believe that?

 

 

From our Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice