WHAT ARE WE SEEKING?
We all have moments in our life where we have said or done something that we regret. Maybe it even fills us with guilt and shame and regret. Maybe we start to worry about what this person will think or that person…but the truth of the matter is this…
Proverbs 29:25 (NLT), Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.
Romans 8:28 (NLT), And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
Sometimes fear can be griping or paralyzing. Sometimes we focus so much on our problem that we forget that God is bigger than all our problems. Sometimes we “give” something to God and then we take it back thinking that we can fix it ourselves. The honest truth of this is we cannot. We are broken people in a broken and fallen world who need help. Why else did Jesus die on the cross but to cleanse us of our sins, to reconcile us to our heavenly Father, who loves us so deeply and unconditionally regardless of what we say or do. He gave us His Word.
John 1:1 (NLT), In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And what does God’s Word tell us?
Matthew 6:14, 15 (NLT), “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Walking our lives out as a Christian isn’t easy. Humbling ourselves enough to say “I’m sorry for doing this. Will you forgive me?” is not an easy thing. Sometimes, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves isn’t easy. But we make an intentional step forward because we love God. And God says to love God and love people. He tells us to forgive or He doesn’t have to forgive us our sins.
It shouldn’t matter what other people think. It should matter what God thinks. His opinion ultimately is the only one that matters. When we look at the characteristics of God, He isn’t a condemning unforgiving God. But we do have a day when we will see God face to face. Are you ready for that day? Are you really ready for that day?
I was reading in a book called Marriage in Light of Eternity by Francis Chan and Lisa Chan. Francis talked about how he loved his wife so much that he wanted her to be prepared when she would see God face to face for the first time. I had honestly never thought of this. But shouldn’t we think of this? How can we help our husband or wife or children or family members or friends or co-workers or a stranger on the street be prepared to meet God face to face?
Honestly, this put my mind in a different perspective in life. For my husband, for my family, for my friends, for people that I come in contact with in a day-to-day basis. I want God to transform me from the inside out. I want to read His word and know His word and promises that He has for me so that I can share it with everyone I know or don’t know; to prepare them for their destiny with God. I want to be a light on a hill that cannot be hidden. I want to be the salt and light of the earth. I want Him to use me in a way that prepares everyone I know and love for the day they will see God face to face for the first time. I don’t want to live in anger and unforgiveness. Those things only lead to death. I don’t want to live my life concerned about what others think of me or say of me. If I am seeking to please man, how could I ever please God?
Every day we must intentionally make a choice. Die to self and live for God. Die to the flesh.
Romans 8:12-14 (NLT), Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Our God is an amazing God! He does not deal with us as our sins deserve. I know that I shared this scripture with you in my last article. I can’t help but feel that God has once again put it on my heart. He is preparing us for eternity…shouldn’t we follow the characteristics of God to help prepare those God puts in our lives for eternity?
Psalm 103:7-13 (NLT), He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.
One last scripture I would like to share with you.
Matthew 6:33 (NLT), Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
May the blessings and favor of our God always be with you. May His love shield and protect you and lead you in the path of righteousness.
©2021 Leslie Wittenmyer ~ All rights reserved