Sometimes as Americans, I think we deeply miss the higher calling God has placed on us because of our "blessings." We miss the dependence of suffering, the comfort of the hurt, the lifting of the humble, the filling of the empty, the release in forgiveness, the delight in the Holy, the calm in the storm. In essence, we miss seeing God. We don't fully recognize our destitution and need for saving because we don't "need" for so much.
We often look to outsiders (read: nonbelievers) and can say with certainty who is and is not going to hell. Is that our job? More and more in my short life, I am noticing that the Old Testament was not really a prescription to show others their wrongdoing but for us to see where our issues and shortcomings are. Why do we use God's Word as a weapon? The consistent picture that we are shown is how we are supposed to be the "city on a hill" and the "salt" and "light" of the earth. Are we pulling people to Christ with our actions? Are we showing the world we are different? I think not.
My desire is to get back to the HEART of the problem. The HEART that is the problem. We often say "let Jesus into your heart" but do we ever let him out? Until I recognize the magnitude of the Holy Sacrifice Jesus made for me, what comes out will not be holy.
Matthew 5:1-20 ESV
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed [are] those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Blessed [are] the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed [are] the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed [are] the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed [are] the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed [are] those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great [is] your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
"Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
All those BLESSINGS. You know what I don't see?
Blessed are those who want for nothing.
Blessed are those who are comfortable.
Blessed are those who own the earth.
Blessed are those who have their fill.
Blessed are the ones who don't need anything from anyone.
Blessed are the ones who think they are gods.
Blessed are the ones who fight for what they "need."
Blessed are the ones who are trying to make themselves a heaven on earth.
It doesn't mean we SHOULDN'T be happy with what we have but I think it's a lot easier to sweep aside God when "He has blessed us with so much (that we really don't need Him anymore.)"
In suffering, we often find Him. We become closer to Him. How do we maintain that closeness when we become less "needy?" This is my goal. In viewing the law that God gave to Moses, I hope to see more clearly what I was saved FROM so I can see what I was saved FOR. A clearer picture of God's plan and design for life.
I would appreciate prayers during this journey.
All those BLESSINGS. You know what I don't see?
Blessed are those who want for nothing.
Blessed are those who are comfortable.
Blessed are those who own the earth.
Blessed are those who have their fill.
Blessed are the ones who don't need anything from anyone.
Blessed are the ones who think they are gods.
Blessed are the ones who fight for what they "need."
Blessed are the ones who are trying to make themselves a heaven on earth.
It doesn't mean we SHOULDN'T be happy with what we have but I think it's a lot easier to sweep aside God when "He has blessed us with so much (that we really don't need Him anymore.)"
In suffering, we often find Him. We become closer to Him. How do we maintain that closeness when we become less "needy?" This is my goal. In viewing the law that God gave to Moses, I hope to see more clearly what I was saved FROM so I can see what I was saved FOR. A clearer picture of God's plan and design for life.
I would appreciate prayers during this journey.
