When we have come to love Jesus the last thing we should want to do is be separated from others of like mind. When we love our Lord, and come to behave as he does, then we must put on our old clothes, and hide our faces if we are to blend in once again with those we used to associate with. Do you desire to be with your brothers and sisters in Christ, or do you simply love Jesus on some occasions, and retreat to your old life at other times?
Are we like the scribes of old? Do we question Jesus, and His authority, within our hearts? Sometimes we are tempted to doubt His ability, or question our faith in His power, but are there times when we question the authority of Jesus himself, and look to God in fear and trembling asking “Is this truly your Son?” Even in our minds, for just an instant, does Satan’s lie seem plausible?
We come to God with our needs, and thank Him for those things He has done for us; we even ask Him to forgive us, and to help us be more like Him, but how often do we really tell Him “I Love You”? Are we guilty of treating our prayers of love for God like Hallmark Valentine’s Day cards, and find ourselves repeating to Him someone else’s thoughts, and words, or do we open our hearts and pour our own personal feelings out to Him as Asaph did?
Are you afraid? What is fear that it makes us tremble so mightily, or cower so completely when it comes upon us? Is there something that brings you such fear... something that wells up inexplicably from deep inside? Is there a fear that is so complete that it incapacitates you? If so, where do you turn for relief? Who do you call on for rescue? Is God able to comfort you, and calm your fears?
Impatience, it is one of the greatest challenges to our faith, and brings many a righteous soul to that place where they begin to question God, or say to themselves on the third day that Jesus will not rise... He is dead. Are we in need of something from God right now that we have been praying for night and day, yet haven’t received so much as a hint of deliverance regarding? Well, waiting is not easy, and bearing pain and suffering while we do might feel cruel, but God’s ways are perfect, and by them He is perfecting us... have faith in your waiting.
Sometimes we wander into a place where we begin to feel comfortable in our faith, but if you are standing in such a place it is a dangerous place to be. We are sinners by nature, and are told to continuously be seekers of salvation. It is only by constant renewal that we make progress towards our heavenly destination; are you standing in the shadow of a comfortable faith today?
We are not ordered by God to give this, or that, for His causes, but asked to give only what we feel in our heart. For some this might be an everyday offering of oil to keep the lamps in the Church lit at night, while for others it could be a more costly gift such as gold, or onyx stones for the breastplate of the priest. God has a plan, and He speaks to our individual hearts concerning our part in it.
If we lose our faith in God then we most certainly will lose it in His Son Jesus. When we lose confidence in God’s ability to provide for us, or save us in times of trouble, then how can we say that we believe in the Son who’s strength and power comes from Him? Our eternal life, and everyday blessings come from the Father, and we stone His heart with the hardness of our disbelief.
There is nothing in this world that we can depend on to last forever; our bodies, our minds, the rivers, and even the sun itself will eventually dim and fail, but the promise of God’s eternity that Jesus has brought to us is the one thing that is lasting and true. He who was, and is, and is to come, has prepared a way for us to experience eternal life with God that will never fail, and be available to us forevermore.
How do we engage our faith? Is it limited to our intellect, and discernment alone? If this is the case then we are missing much of the joy that comes with knowing God, and worshipping Him. If this is true then we miss knowing Jesus in His fullness. Although using our mind is important in understanding our faith, it is only one of the tools we were created with as God provided us with the ability to experience Him.
Do you fear what lies ahead of you? Does the prospect of death cause you to lay awake at night, and tremble? Perhaps you seek comfort in what heaven will be like, but fear not, because Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us. We might be uncertain as to the nature of heaven, but we know God and Jesus, and in this knowledge we should be truly comforted as to what awaits us... such is heaven.
Do we judge others, and not allow them to approach us because we feel more holy than they are? Are we intolerant and use our faith as a tool of pride and arrogance against those who are yet to find the Lord, and who haven’t been introduced to the gospel, and begun to understand it? If this describes who we are then we should beware because we are not holy as we think, and like kindling that is stacked by the fire, we are destined to be burned.
We have knowledge of Jesus, and often think that is enough; we study and know of Him and think this is the pinnacle of righteousness, but it isn’t. We think that by our understanding we can find the fullness of God but we are mistaken. Loving God and Jesus Christ surpasses all else, and our knowledge, and the other things, are only meant to help increase our ability to love them more. Loving, and being loved by Jesus; this is the way we can experience the fullness of God.
Are we merciful to others? Do we give of ourselves, and our bounty, when it would be easier to take? Sometimes we hold back out of laziness, sometimes stinginess, and others out of selfishness; we can find many reasons not to give, but when we do it rewards us immensely. We are increased spiritually, physically, and in such things as joy, happiness, and peace of mind. By giving we provide a blessing to others, but God works a great miracle within us.
Have we been working at completing the repairs to our broken and sinful lives? Have we been sufficiently separating ourselves from the world’s corruption that flails about around us? When Jerusalem was destroyed, and made rubble, it was repaired, and those repairs were not viewed as complete until the wall that protected the city from the world was rebuilt. What is the condition of our wall?