Decision Time

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 KJV

There comes a time in everybody's life that you must take a decision; you have got to make up your mind who you want to follow: men or God. It cannot be both or neither; your life's pursuits and priorities will confirm the choice that you have made.

All of us have that decision to make. Joshua at a time told the Israelites the same thing: you have to choose whom you will serve. For him, the choice was non-negotiable; he had already made up his mind to serve the Lord. Paul here also says the same thing: you have to decide whose opinion counts or matters to you: God or man.

Man's opinions and standards are also evolving and never static. He changes his mind as frequently as he changes his clothes. The constant change in fashion standards, dress culture, attitudes to sex and sexuality all point to the fact that man is difficult to please because his principles are difficult to establish. He is constantly trying to adapt to the world around him, pursuing an invisible target and generally failing to make any impact. God, on the other hand, has laid down his standard right from creation, and through all generations, no matter how complex, he has refused to lower that standard for anyone, no matter how special s/he is.

Whatever God says is his desire now will nor change, no matter how much we dislike his decision or rationalize our own action. God remains God through the years, through all our experiences and I  spite of our own actions. Just like Paul has established, if man is the focus and the defining factor, then I am not a servant of God. If I claim to be a child of God, I must answer to my father's dictates and commands. If I do not, then I am not. His time of favour is here.

The New!

The New!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 AMP

Paul's words here remind us of the change that occurs in a life that has decided to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There is a remarkable difference between the life termed old and the new one birthed by God. The change first occurs inside the man before it is manifested outside the man. It has nothing to do with qualification or a sense of entitlement, but by the grace of God who calls men to Himself. All I need to do is have faith in His power to save and confess Him as Lord. That's how easy it is to be born again.

So, for all who have decided to accept Jesus, the change has occurred and the journey has begun. New standards have been set and new priorities and pursuits are birthed. The old loses its appeal, because it was based on the sinful human nature which could never submit to God's rules. It's a new nature, with new rules. If at anytime I find myself attracted to the old, it does not mean I have already missed it; it just calls for me to focus more on God and less on my own abilities and capacity, so I do not lose what I have received.

Appetites will change; friends will change; comfort focus will change; the things that used to matter will change, the eternal becomes more important than the earthly and the temporal. Those are just a few of the things the new life entails, and I must do an honest audit of my life to see if i am on the right path. Nobody else, except through the help of the Holy Spirit, can do this audit for you.

No matter your earthly status, personal networth, connections or position, remember: nothing down here was built to last forever. Only in Christ am I assured of a life that never ends, because Christ is the only One known to have conquered death. So, what's your decision? His time of favour is here.

Matching Lifestyle!

Matching Lifestyle!

Whoever confesses and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 JOHN 4:15 AMP

Today's extract is an open invitation to anyone and everyone, without limitation or exception. Depending on how I wish to see it, it could be an advice, or a statement of fact, which I could decide to follow or ignore. God leaves no one in doubt as the consequences of whatever choice I make.

There must be a match between the confession of the mouth and the state of the heart. This generation has perfected the art of deception and pretence, where we say one thing and mean the very opposite. Just like this season, we are all about new year resolutions and commitment to change, yet we are not addressing the foundation itself. The new year is just about coming in, and we will all rejoice and celebrate, but it must not end just there.

And it is important to confess the right thing. Unfortunately also for this generation, we are emphasizing morals at the expense of an experience of God. We now have motivational speakers who emphasise the importance of words, and while the same is true about the Bible, the Bible goes a step further to underline the importance of sincerity and a heart that is true to God. No gauge on earth can measure the heart's sincerity; only God, its creator, can.

If I confess that Jesus is the Son of God, I get the assurance of God's never-ending presence in me. This is the pivot on which all of my life hangs: without it, I am nothing, but if I have it, then I have everything I need. This is the secret to eternal life. Is it about just words to me, or is God visible in and through me? Am I holding on to a form of religion, yet denying the power that a life dedicated to God can produce? Life starts at the foot of the cross, and is sealed when it finds residence in the heart. His time of favour is here.

Code of Conduct!

Code of Conduct!

But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. LUKE 6:35 AMP

Love is never passive; it is always defined in the light of an action, a response, an outflow. You don't profess love solely by the power of your words; men would want physical, visible proof of that profession. Interestingly, today's extract even makes it harder to pretend, when it demands that I love people who do not like me; people referred to as enemies. And to make matters even better, I dare not pretend, because the God who commands love knows the heart and can judge when it is hypocritical or sincere.

Why would I put other people's interests over and above my own? How do I take of what i have worked hard for, and lend to other people, expecting nothing in return? None of these things come easy or by frequent practice, but by surrender. No matter how hard you try to do right by your power, you will reach the end of your rope sooner or later. Only in God do I receive grace to obey without grumbling, sure and certain that God is able to sort me out.

And the reward is certain: but note that nowhere does God provide the full picture of what I stand to gain. An additional blessing is to be called the son of the Most High. When I do good, I should do it from a heart totally surrendered to God and willing to walk in his ways. I MAY not see the benefits of staying true to God down here, but nothing on earth can compare with the great things that are ahead. God doesn't promise me a stressless existence, but He assures me he's got my back.

What would you rather do: love the world's way or love God's way? Remember, both are choices with eternal consequences. His time of favour is here.

Say and Do!

Say and Do!

Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. 1 John 2:6 AMPC

Indeed, talk is cheap. Anyone can say anything or make claims, but as they say: "the proof of the pudding is in the eating." Today's extract addresses those who make claims to knowing Christ. They would have heard about Him; they would have read about Him, even attended fellowship and meetings where He was talked about and praised. Anyone could do all that, but what makes all the difference is what I do with all the knowledge I have acquired about God. Does it make me aspire to do right, to live right and to relate right?

And we note that the word used here is 'abide', not temporary accommodation. Everywhere you turn to in the Bible, God emphasizes dwelling, not just existing. Jesus used the same word when he was talking about the vine and the branches, and it underlines the importance of abiding in God. You can't abide in God, and your life will not show off the accompanying fruits. If I am struggling for identity and impact, then maybe I am yet to fully sort out the terms and conditions of my accommodation. Where are you presently located? How are you located: taking up temporary space or really abiding in God?

And the fruits of your status will always show, no matter how hard you try to hide it. It doesn't matter how long you are able to pretend; eventually, the truth about your allegiance will eventually be revealed. Those who know Christ have an obligation to show Him off. If I claim to be a child of God, then God has to be revealed through me. The men of Antioch probably didn't speak much, but those who watched them knew they were different and so called them 'Christians'. That's the power of a life that abides in Christ.

My words must match my actions, and I have an example worthy of emulation. Jesus' life has been laid bare before us through the Bible and we can draw strength and inspiration through His life. In speech, conduct, humility, association and attitude, He's the perfect example. I need ask myself this: Is my life pointing others towards or away from God? His time of favour is here.

Purpose, Redefined!

Purpose, Redefined!

For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. Colossians 1:16 AMPC

As a new year starts in just a few hours, I am reminded again of the undeniable greatness of the One called God, who has called me to himself and introduces himself to me as God. The word IN is used, not BY. So, I exist IN God. That's deep. My life, experiences, personality, quirks and all find expression IN God. IN shows possession, ownership and identity. If I am IN God, I am called and known by His name alone.

BY may show activity without any commitment and ALL THINGS leave out nothing at all. It then means that there is nothing in this present earthly life that can offer eternal comfort. Men fight and kill each other just for temporary, earthly gain, yet nothing down here satisfies the void only God can fill. If I understand that I am IN God, nothing outside of God can take his place in my heart. Nothing else will work.

There are many phases of this world that are not visible to the physical eyes. There are phases of authorities, yet there is only one Supreme God, who reigns and rules over them all. The world seeks after the lower authorities, and indeed, they are very powerful. In fact, Paul refers to one of the phases of authority as 'spiritual wickedness in heavenly places'. Their promises are sweet to the ears of those who do not know or understand who they are or belong to, and the consequences of such choices are always fatal and eternal. The end of trusting the highest authority is a life of meaning, purpose and direction. So, which one do you think you should submit to?

From God's perspective, think of it this way: if something exists only IN me and for my pleasure, it means I determine its lifespan, its impact and its sphere of influence and control. I determine how far it can go. That thing had better give me pleasure, by pursuing the things I ask it to, and doing the things that point other people to me; after all, that is the whole purpose of man: to give God pleasure. If I do not know my purpose, abuse is inevitable, but judgment too is inevitable. Am I living a life that shows off God? His time of favour is here.

Right Priorities

Right Priorities!

But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God .’” MATTHEW 4:4 AMP

Today's extract is the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, immediately after his baptism and heaven's testimony of his Sonship and authority. It can never be over emphasized how important it is to forget successes as soon as they have happened, because the devil is never really asleep. He keeps plugging away, seeking that loophole he can exploit to bring us down. Like Jesus, so is it with us today. No matter what heaven says about you, always remember you are human and susceptible to temptation. Only a constant and daily dependence on God, just as today's extract shows, guarantees a good end.

Satan came after 40 days of fasting, and his first words sounded innocent. After all, Jesus is the Son of God, so it wasn't about proving a point, but placing everything in life in the proper place and context. Too many times, great things have been destroyed because we couldn't determine the proper time, place and priorities for every thing in our lives. Jesus was hungry, but a bigger threat was hanging: does he sacrifice the eternal for the immediate? Does he satisfy earthly desires and place the eternal in jeopardy?

The same question faces us today: do we go all out to show off or to show God off to other people? Is my life one where God can speak to and through? Am I focused on my needs and wants, at the expense of what God wants? Can I trust God to sort me out, as i walk with Him on a daily basis? Do i focus on feeding the natural man at the expense of the spiritual man? The devil would have Jesus set out his own path and do His own thing in his own way and at his own time, but we can stand where we are now simply because Christ saw through the deceit and put the devil in his place.

And what was the tool? The Word of God. That's the only thing that will stand the test of time. It is the only lasting defence against the devil. When every other thing fails, you can trust the Word of God to stand fast and true. Do I know the Word? It is first the person of the Word, who speaks the words that become life and health to me. What's my first point of call when the trials and tough times come? Your response will always determine where your life is headed right now, and where it may end up. Choose and decide right; His time of favour is here.