I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 ESV
Jesus loves you. He gave Himself for you. God’s judgment will not fall on you if you have faith that Jesus is who He claims to be.
If you’re unsure, investigate for yourself. Do some research. Some people come to faith quickly, others take their time. I was 25 years old when God radically saved me, while I was alone, hopeless, homeless, broke and destitute. I haven’t been the same since.
Oh sure, I’ve gone around the mountain many times in my ignorance, foolishness and disobedience. I didn’t walk a straight line for many years. In fact, I backslid for many of my years as a believer. Only recently has something really changed. I got deliverance. I got healing. I found forgiveness in my heart for all those who sinned against me.
I finally get it. Jesus Christ is Lord. He’s more than just Messiah. He’s more than just our Savior. He is Lord. He is the highest authority. What He says is absolutely true. You can live your life according to His words. The teachings of Christ will lead you into a life that pleases God, if you take them to heart.
Thanks be to God for His mercy endures forever. He doesn’t wait until we get it before He loves us. His love is constant and unwavering. He truly desires the best for us. He is long-suffering. That means patient. When we mess things up, He doesn’t rub our nose in it. He restores us gently, like a loving Father teaching His child to walk. When we fall down and go boom, He picks us up again. He reassures us that we can do it if we just put one foot in front of the other.
Childlike faith is what we need. It’s easy to get jaded and cynical in a world full of hypocrites, thieves and liars. But don’t let the world dictate your worldview. That would be playing into the hand of the enemy.
Especially in today’s world, it’s vital that you guard your heart and focus your thoughts on the things of Heaven and not of Earth. Live a godly life, not a worldly life.
Just yesterday, the Lord told me not to listen to Internet preachers. He wants me to listen to Him directly, not filtered through some person whose lifestyle I have no idea about. It’s easy to pretend to be something you’re not online. It’s all for show. The proof is in how you conduct yourself. Jesus said, “Follow Me.”
Walk with Jesus. Spend every waking hour with Him. You’ll soon learn what it’s all about. God can teach you everything you need to know. I was not discipled until I had been a believer for 12 years. I went to church regularly, I even completed 3 years of ministry training. Yet, no one took the time to disciple me individually until one day the leader of a home group took me under his wing. Then, I was able to be known and ask all the questions I needed answers for.
Since that time, I’ve grown tremendously in my faith. We have many teachers, but not many fathers. A father loves his children. True disciplemakers love the ones they teach.
I heard a recent statistic that only 2% of churches are disciple making churches. What are the rest doing? Going through the religious motions but accomplishing nothing. We know that God will save a remnant. He will save the faithful. He will save those who follow Him.
The life I now live is not my own. I’ve surrendered all. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I know God will be there. So I walk by faith in the One who saved me. It’s the least I could do to show my gratitude for being rescued from death and eternal suffering.
I pray that your faith is real. I pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to your heart. I pray that you would keep the faith and not lose heart when persecution comes. And may He keep you as His own forever and ever. Amen.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV
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