This world we live in is searching. Searching high and low, to and fro, frantically and desperately. For an answer to the deepest desire of their hearts. Unconditional love. A love that is poured out with complete acceptance of who they are. No matter what.
There is only one who loves with such passion. There is only one who is the answer to the world. Only one.
Here is an honest conversation. One that is long overdue. It’s time.
My heart has grieved watching so many frantically searching knowing they’ll fail to find the one thing they need. The blind and fear filled follow of yet another socialist movement. They spread so easily these days. All you have to do is feel a connection to someone’s social media post, sassy meme, or public service announcement of their newly enlightened self claiming the answer to world peace is readily available, if only you will join them. Then you instantly share it with all of your friends and family expecting they jump on your new bandwagon with you. There are even a few scriptures or bible stories twisted around to prove a point, their point.
The single MOST disheartening thing I’ve seen over the last six or eight weeks is a few quotes claiming that Jesus isn’t enough. His transformational power in your life and heart, isn’t enough.
And…if you don’t join the latest socially accepted movement there is an explanation for that.
It’s typically an explanation of your denial to acknowledge what can ONLY be explained as “x truth”. You just don’t understand the terminology. If you did, you would “get it”. If you say that doesn’t apply to you or represent the intention of your heart. Don’t worry. They have another explanation of your inability to be in touch with or understand the “truth” of “x movement”. And then if you’re a Christian it’s obvious, the ONLY thing for you to do is follow along nicely or you aren’t showing the love of Christ. Some of your “Christian” friends will tell you this too.
Our answer.
This is what I have for you my friend. A question. One single question. Ask yourself, “what if”.
Daniel lived a blameless life with the favor of God upon him. Jealousy arose in the hearts of people around him. So, they plotted. Resulting in a law of the land to honor and pray to the king only. Daniel refused to bow to anyone but God. You all know the story. He humbly knelt before his God in prayer and thanks. For his dedication to God he was thrown into the lion’s den to be torn into shreds. Here is where I want you to ask – what if. What if Daniel followed along with the social movement of the times and took his eyes off God. What if he sought his answer by his own might. What if. (Daniel 6)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego lived a life of service to God and God alone. The king demanded for the entire province to bow down and worship a gold statue at the sound of the instruments. Quietly, humbly, and without wavering Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to serve or worship this idol. Again, you know the story. They boldly proclaimed their faith in the ability of their God when called into question as they were given the opportunity to just go ahead and bow to be forgiven. But, they said, my God is able. And even if he doesn’t he remains worthy of my obedience. They were thrown into the fiery furnace to be burned to death for defiance of the order of the land. Here is where I want you to ask – what if. What if they followed along the social movement of the times and took their eyes off God. What if they sought their answer by their own might. What if. (Daniel 3)
Joseph was thrown into a pit and left to die by his own brothers out of jealousy in their hearts. He was then lied on and thrown into prison. But his faith was in the Lord who rescued him before. And the Lord was good to Joseph. He made a way for him where there was seemingly no way. The Lord showed faithful love to Joseph causing everything he did to succeed. Joseph had favor of the Lord as he steadfastly served. He gave all credit to his God. You all know the rest of the story. He was made ruler over Egypt. Here is where I want you to ask – what if. What if Joseph turned to anger seeking vengeance for the wrong that was done him by his own brothers. What if Joseph took his eyes and heart off God seeking an answer of his own might. What if. (Genesis 37 – 47)
I could give you countless more examples of your calling during these hard times. I’ll list a few for reference and would encourage you to go read, study, and seek out wisdom from them.
Moses led Israel out of captivity – Exodus
Abraham takes his only son up the mountain – Genesis 22
Jesus – Read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to start with. Watch and read how he shares the gospel across the land rebuking sin and socially accepted beliefs of the times while loving compassionately, performing miracles, and healing everywhere he goes until the day he gives his life, conquers death, hell, and the grave. Then resurrects to life. Walks among the disciples until he ascends into heaven. Then read the book of Acts and learn how the outpouring of Pentecost birthed the new church.
Peter – boldly proclaimed the power of the Holy Spirit as he stood accused. He boldly professed the ONLY answer for the lost generation was Jesus. (Acts)
Paul – his instruction for the body of Christ to you. (Ephesians)
As you study each passage of scripture, I desire for you to ask yourself, what if. What if each of these men in the bible sought answers to the problems around them by their own might. What if.
We can’t imagine they would. Looking back it seems the ONLY answer is the obvious answer of Christ.
So, why do we seek for something else today.
For you, your family. Your eternal soul. Victory. Faith over fear. Praise through the storm. Worship to the only savior of this world. I ask you, what if. What if you turn your eyes off Christ and onto the socially acceptable movement of this world. What if. What will it cost you. Are you willing you pay that price. Because you will.
IT IS TIME. My friend. IT IS TIME. For an HONEST conversation.
Acts chapter 2 gives us the answer for the lost world in which we live. Read the entire chapter verse by verse word by word. Read it until you’ve written it on your heart.
Acts 2:38 – 41
” Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off. Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this generation that has gone astray!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church…”
Of course, there is more to the story as you’ll have work to do after. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, fellowship, and prayer. The believers met together constantly, shared everything they had, and worshiped together at the temple. Then they spread the gospel like wildfire as they performed miraculous signs by the power and authority of the Holy Spirit living within them.
People, these are the last days. We are living in them. God’s spirit is pouring out like his word says. He says I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. And ANYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
If you haven’t seen his Spirit poured out, get a new pew. Find his fire. Be a part of the revival. Don’t miss out. He is THE answer for us all.
Bobbie
