Hi Folks!
Let's look at the last of the four instructions the Lord gave us through 2 Chronicles 7:14. Remember there is great blessing promised to us if we'll obey these instructions.
When I see "turning" from our wicked ways I think of the word "repent". To repent of something is to change your mind and stop it at once. It means if you're going in the wrong direction to stop, turn around and go the other way. If any of our ways are not in line with God's ways then we need to repent.
We need to turn from that wicked way at once, then go ahead and do it God's
way.
You might as well settle it now that God's way is the best way and it is the
only way to go. If you have any way in your life that is out of line with
God's way you need to repent. Remember He is the Potter and we are the clay.
All the way through the Bible God has revealed to us His ways. His ways are
not past finding out as they are written for all to see. Even a little child
can learn the ways of the Lord because the Holy Spirit has been sent to help
us.
In today's teaching let's discuss just one of the ways of God - the way of love. God is Love and all He does is motivated by the force of love. When Jesus walked the earth He demonstrated the Father's love to mankind in all He said and did. Before dying on the cross He gave us the command to walk the same walk of love that He did. We have been commanded by the Master himself to "walk in love one to another".
As a Pastor it disturbs me to see the amount of disobedience amongst God's children in their disobeying Jesus command to "love one another". As the Word declares we literally are biting and devouring each other and causing all sorts of strife and divisions by our constant refusal to keep the Lord's commandment. Any time we criticise or grumble against a fellow brother or sister in the Lord we commit this sin. Getting touchy or resentful with another, or holding any kind of grudge or bad feeling toward another is committing this very sin.
(Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 for a description of what love is and what it is not).
We are to be merciful to each other as our Lord has been merciful to us, by forgiving one another and walking in love. For you to hold something against a brother or sister is to have forgotten that you were once forgiven of all your sins.
We all deserve to burn in the lake of fire for all of eternity because of our rebellious acts against a holy God, but Jesus brought us mercy and forgiveness through His cross. Remember God the Father loves all people and desires for none to perish but to be saved, and so should we.
Brother and sister, if you have been walking in this wicked way of walking out of love with another, you need to get it right. No matter how big the crime committed against you, it is in no comparison to the crimes we have committed against the Lord. He chose to forgive us when we didn't deserve to be forgiven and we must respond in like manner. We don't have the luxury of holding anything against anybody, if we are to inherit eternal life and walk in any kind of victory.
Church, this is the Word of God. This is our command to love God and love people. My wife Leah often tells our children "if you have nothing nice to say about that person, then don't say anything at all." I like that!
This love walk is only one of the many ways of God... not to mention faithfulness, righteousness, holiness and obedience to name just a few. I thought it most necessary to mention this love aspect foremost as so much else hangs on this issue in our Christian walk.
Saints, don't be deceived in thinking you know more than the Master by doing things your own way. Any way other than God's way through our Lord Jesus Christ is a wicked way. I encourage you to choose God's way today and for the rest of your life. Let me pray a prayer with you if you will.
Pray this after me,
"Father God, please show me Your ways, teach me Your paths, lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation and I wait on You today Lord, in Jesus Name amen." Psalm 25:4-5
Please read Psalm 119:1-11, 97-104 and may God bless you richly
David
Dear people. We hope these Pastor's Heart messages have been a blessing to you. Please feel welcome to email us at any time with feedback. Any questions you might ask we will endeavour to answer if we can. email@livingwordfellowship.com.au
To subscribe or unsubcribe please email us, email@livingwordfellowship.com.au
Previous Pastor's Heart messages
can be viewed on our website
www.livingwordfellowship.com.au
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray
and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and
My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NKJV)