The Gospel's Light
This week I had a revelation about myself that was eye-opening for me. To be a Christian is to walk in Communion with the one true and living God. This statement does not imply perfection in this life; it does not always assume a right and good attitude; it means that the truth about ourselves is always near, as near as God is to us.
God promised Joshua, "No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you." Furthermore, God counseled Joshua, "be careful to do according to all that is written in (the book of the law); for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success."
There is the need to walk the straight and the narrow. A narrow way suggests easy departure; no sooner sway left or right, we're off the path. The Christian can depart simply by developing a wrong attitude.
The way to walk is in accordance with Romans 12:1, 2. "Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
A Biblical sacrifice was killed and offered on an altar of fire. In Romans 12, The purpose of our sacrifice is nonconformity to the world, and only in this way it becomes acceptable to God. The renewing of our mind (a departure from worldliness) transforms our will. The person with a renewed mind and transformed will approve of God's good, acceptable, and perfect will.
My departure began with a passion for God's Church. What could be better than that, except love for Christ? There is a very thin line between seeing what's wrong, praying, even speaking about it, and entering into a spirit of ungodly judgment. God says, "Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are parts of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin." Ephesians 4:25, 26.
Recently, the light of those things that break Jesus' heart began to fester and become an open sore. I crossed the line from righteous anger to sinful. Many times my wife lovingly warned me of this, and no doubt those warnings built up in my conscience, until finally, like Job, I heard the voice of God. As only He can, He said to me, "For a long time, many men better and with wider ministries than you have tried to fix My Church, and it's still broken. You have to let this go." Through tears, I felt the burden lift.
People often say, "How we speak to people is important." That is a very true statement. However, it has become my perspective to hear from God, no matter who is speaking or how. God often tests our humility by bringing a nasty tongue or donkey into our path to correct us. We should not care, and I don't, who it is that God chooses to use for our correction; the only thing that matters is, is it true? Such was the case in the final voice I heard.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will advise you with My eye upon you. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check; otherwise, they will not come near to you. The sorrows of the wicked are many, but the one who trusts in the LORD, goodness will surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart" Psalm 32:8-11.
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