This week I have been going through ALOT! I got really angry at God becuase of an article I read about God and His glory. I felt like the God that I was reading about could not possibly be the God that I worship and the God that sacrificed His Son for our sins. After spending a long while praying about it and hours studying the scripture, I realized the mercy and justice in what was done. I still don't really like the take the article had on some events, and the way that it worded it, but I understand the events which transpired much better. I went into serious doubt though about God, while at the same time knowing that He is the same God He has always been. I felt like I was at a bit of a crossroads, and that a decision must be made. Here is what I wrote:
Decisions must be made. The point is here where I either go one way or another. I either walk with the Lord, whatever it means for the future, or I walk away from the Lord. The choice must be made thoughtfully and completely, not suddenly and without reflection. So the question must now be asked, what does it mean to follow the Lord? More specifically, what will it mean in my life?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
I must lay aside all that hinders my walk with Christ. I must not continue in any habitual sin and not indulge in any sin knowingly. I must live with purpose and do without all that hinders that purpose.
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
I must deny my earthly desires and gladly take on the burdens and persecutions that come with following Christ. I must not hold on to my dreams for my life, but give them over to Christ to fulfill his purposes.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15) Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
I must keep the two greatest commandments as specified by Christ. I must love God with all of my being and serve him with all of my faculties. I must also love all of Gods people with no prejudices or judgements.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
I must wholeheartedly believe that I have obtained salvation through Christs redeeming work. I must believe that He died upon the cross, taking on the sins of the world, and rose again on the third day defeating sin and death that I might be saved.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:12-17)
I must believe that my prayers will be heard and answered, knowing that if I ask in Christs name for the glory of God, that Christ will do it. I must also be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit is the Helper and the Spirit of truth.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:35-38)
I must follow in Christs example and love my enemies, praying for them and blessing them. I must forgive all the wrong I have experienced as Christ has forgiven me because Christ has died for those wrong and justice is not mine to seek.
And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." (Mark 9:7)
I must know and obey what Christ has instructed.
You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." (Psalms 27:8)
I must seek the face and fellowship of the Lord and not just the works of His hand.
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." (Psalms 31:14)
I must trust in the Lord to provide for all my needs and that He has a plan for my life. I must trust in the words He has written and know that what He says is good and true.
This is how my life shall be lived should I choose to walk with the Lord. You must not expect anything else. You are told by Christ himself that there will be suffering for His name and that you must share in his sufferings because you will be his servant. He is calling out for you, will you go to him or will you walk away? The choice must be made for good, there will be no turning back after this point. You must believe with all your heart and give your life away. Think on this. Pray. Worship in His Name and experience His goodness and know for sure that He is God.
Later:
I do so accept the life of one who walks with Christ and all that is stated above. My life is forfeit to Him and in whose goodness I believe. I will serve Him on earth until my last breath. I believe in Heaven, which is where I will spend eternity. I will not doubt the word of the Lord, He is my salvation. My life is no longer my own, but His who will direct my steps.
Decisions must be made. The point is here where I either go one way or another. I either walk with the Lord, whatever it means for the future, or I walk away from the Lord. The choice must be made thoughtfully and completely, not suddenly and without reflection. So the question must now be asked, what does it mean to follow the Lord? More specifically, what will it mean in my life?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
I must lay aside all that hinders my walk with Christ. I must not continue in any habitual sin and not indulge in any sin knowingly. I must live with purpose and do without all that hinders that purpose.
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
I must deny my earthly desires and gladly take on the burdens and persecutions that come with following Christ. I must not hold on to my dreams for my life, but give them over to Christ to fulfill his purposes.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15) Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
I must keep the two greatest commandments as specified by Christ. I must love God with all of my being and serve him with all of my faculties. I must also love all of Gods people with no prejudices or judgements.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
I must wholeheartedly believe that I have obtained salvation through Christs redeeming work. I must believe that He died upon the cross, taking on the sins of the world, and rose again on the third day defeating sin and death that I might be saved.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:12-17)
I must believe that my prayers will be heard and answered, knowing that if I ask in Christs name for the glory of God, that Christ will do it. I must also be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit is the Helper and the Spirit of truth.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:35-38)
I must follow in Christs example and love my enemies, praying for them and blessing them. I must forgive all the wrong I have experienced as Christ has forgiven me because Christ has died for those wrong and justice is not mine to seek.
And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." (Mark 9:7)
I must know and obey what Christ has instructed.
You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." (Psalms 27:8)
I must seek the face and fellowship of the Lord and not just the works of His hand.
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." (Psalms 31:14)
I must trust in the Lord to provide for all my needs and that He has a plan for my life. I must trust in the words He has written and know that what He says is good and true.
This is how my life shall be lived should I choose to walk with the Lord. You must not expect anything else. You are told by Christ himself that there will be suffering for His name and that you must share in his sufferings because you will be his servant. He is calling out for you, will you go to him or will you walk away? The choice must be made for good, there will be no turning back after this point. You must believe with all your heart and give your life away. Think on this. Pray. Worship in His Name and experience His goodness and know for sure that He is God.
Later:
I do so accept the life of one who walks with Christ and all that is stated above. My life is forfeit to Him and in whose goodness I believe. I will serve Him on earth until my last breath. I believe in Heaven, which is where I will spend eternity. I will not doubt the word of the Lord, He is my salvation. My life is no longer my own, but His who will direct my steps.
