Today's Gospel Truth ~ "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble." Psalm 37:39
Holding firm to our Salvation as we live each day for God we grow in our relationship with Him. When days of uncertainty come our way it is in our relationship with Him that we can acquire the strength and foresight we need to intelligently manage what we face. Growing in Christ is the greatest, well rounded investment we can ever have in life as it gives both parties a sound, secure, loving relationship. It not only help us with life here on earth but it also secures our place with Christ in heaven. Holding firm to our Salvation also approves us to be counted as the Righteous Seed who deserves God's Delivering Grace. Indeed God is our strength and because our life of freedom is from Him it is also protected and safe in Him. Praise God for in Him we have Deliverance for the Righteous! AMEN
Comments
Yes we do have very real differences as it relates to this Article and that is quite ok Mike. As to whether or not others gravely disagree as you do, well that is another story. Yet it leaves me to wonder if your difference of opinion on this Article has or will result in you continuing to read my Devotions or not? I will say however thank you for the discussion, it has been quite unique. As a Son of God (Of course we have the understanding that there is no gender in God) I do tend to Write from a very strong 'personal relationship' point of view. Be Blessed Always
Star, first, I appreciate you discussing these items rationally with me.
I don't know if you have noticed, but your last blog seem to have been cut off. The last words I read were: "and his demons, but because of"
Just because those who read your words did not respond in no way indicates their approval of your words, they just may have decided not to respond.
You also said it may have been in the interpretation, I think not. We have some real differences here.
I concede the point that Jesus did call us friends. However, being friends with God is a far cry than you and I being friends.
You said that we were created because God wanted a relationship with us, I could not disagree more. We do have a relationship with God and yes he loves us. But our friendship with God does not add one iota to who God is (remember he is changeless). God is the holy, just, incomprehensible, infinite, perfect God, the same whether he has our friendship or not.
People are friends who are mutually compatible. Look at God and us: God is infinite, we are finite, God is all powerful, we are not, God is sinless, we swim in sin, God is perfect, we are not. God does what he pleases and no one can stop him, we cannot. Look at Isaiah's reaction when he saw the Lord in Isaiah 6:5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5 ESV) Friendship with God is far different that human friendship, we are to worship, adore, seek the God of all creation, who's holiness is infinite and unsearchable. Again, I urge you to read A.W. Pink's writings on the Solitariness of God. http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Attributes/attrib_01.htm
And, as far as us "deserving" God's grace, consider Luke 17:10 "So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” No matter what we do, we will never, no never, "deserve" God's grace. From the dictionary grace is: "unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification." Please note the word "unmerited", it means we do not merit the grace, so by the very definition of the word, we cannot "deserve" God's grace.
Star, first I greatly appreciate you willingness to discuss these weighty subjects. And as such, I need a few days to consider your words and if needbe come up with a response.
-Mike
Mike out of all the hunreds of people who have read this Devotion including Pastors and several advid Bible Students you are the first to mention having a problem with it, or at least the first to let me know ..... lol nevertheless, I suppose it is all in the interpertation as you read. While what you have pointed out is correct there are many who have accepted that they are both a Son of God as it states in Gal. 4:7 "Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." and also a Friend of God and thus relate to him in these ways. I believe when two individuals mature in a long term realtionship the more they receive from each other, naturally speaking. Thus the more we as human beings put more of our trust and faith into God the more we will receive from him and the more he can work though us. We know that God will not give the anointing he gave to Paul to someone he couldn't depend on, correct? Then is it strange to say that God want to be secure in his relationship with us?
You said that, "God don't need our relationship..." Isn't that why we were created ..... because he wanted to have relationship with us? When God sent Jesus back into the earth to redeem men back to himself and show men how to live from the Kingdom while on the earth, wasn't it Jesus God moved thru to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who had leprosy, drive out demons.? Mat. 10:8 When Jesus' journey had come to an end he told the desciples to, "Go and do greater works." John 14:12 While God can use a tree or a stone, etc. could you imagine a stone coming to lay hands on you if you need healing when he created man for this purpose? Then here we can see that yes God do need to have relationship with us so that he may work thru us to effect change in the earth.
God created you in His image so that so that He could have a personal relationship with you. God is seeking an intimate heart to heart relationship with you. There are some very good parents that have friendship with their children, while still being parents. God is your Father but He desires friendship with you also. (James 2:23 NKJV) And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.
A parent that you can trust as a friend is a refuge of security, someone you will go to without hesitation about any problem, or temptation. God desires that you let Him be that kind of friend to you. (Psalms 91:1-2 NKJV) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shade of the Almighty. {2} I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Jesus calls us His friends because He communicates with us. (John 15:12-17 NKJV) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. {13} "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. {14} "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. {15} "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. {16} "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. {17} "These things I command you, that you love one another. Not to mention that our relationship with God is the most personal relationship we can ever have. God is a jealous God; we are not to let anyone or anything come between God and us.
Yes we deserves God' grace friend because as a Son of God we don't deserve to enter an eternity with demons and satan. As a matter of fact my friend - Hell was never created for human beings, it was created for satan and his demons, but because of
Star, I do appreciate your passion for the things of God. Your reference to "both parties" implying God is one of the parties troubles me. You say "as it gives both parties a sound, secure, loving relationship." God does not need our relationship, he existed for eternity past by Himself. To say that God gets a sound, secure, loving relationship from us is incorrect in so many ways. God is self sufficient, self existent and self sustaining requiring nothing from us. If you will please read what A.W. Pink says about the Solitariness of God. http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Attributes/attrib_01.htm
Again, saying we deserve God's grace also troubles me. All we ever deserve is eternity in Hell. All our righteousness is filthy rags, Isa 64:6. What are we to a holy, perfect, impeccable, magnificent God? I am a Christian, but I always start my prayers with"Lord, have mercy on me a sinner."
I offer this advice with humility and do not wish to offend.
Mike
Hi there Mike,
Please excuse my delay in responding to you, yesterday was my bday and I took the entire day off from www .... lol.
Well I'm up and going again, and now to answer your questions: Part 1 - By "both parties" I meant the individuals involved in the relationship as in this case it is God and the other person. Of course having the knowledge that God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Part 2 - I know that all of God's Gifts are freely given to all his children yet as it relates to the message/ article here: When one remains faithful to his Salvation especially in trying times he'll be counted as a Righteous {Faithful} Seed who is deserving of God's Grace of Deliverance rather than being one who becomes angry, curses and turn his back on God. "God's grace and order wins; godlessness loses." Psalms 10:16 I hope this will help you understand a little better. Thank you for asking and have a Delightful Purpose-Filled Weekend!
Starr, I am a little curious as to what you mean by "both parties" in your above blog. Also, when you stated "counted as the Righteous Seed who deserves God's Delivering Grace" Grace is something that is never deserved, if it were deserved, it would not be grace.
-Mike
Hi Mike,
How is it going? I think you mean the Article, correct? Well I Write them daily .......... The majority of the items I will be posting here are my Writings unless otherwise noted. As the Lord give me Scriptures for the Day, I study them in the King James, NIV, MSG Versions and various Commentaries. Until next time, God Bless.
Star