FOR REAL
Some read, pray, and go to church because they feel obligated to, others do so because of their passion and longing to know God more. Why such a dichotomy? Why the difference? The answer is this: One person believes God is the complete answer to abundant life, while others are trying to get life from this world and are adding God to the equation. Look at what the Psalmist said:
Psalms 84:1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Psalms 42:1-2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
These Scriptures are a clear and precious depiction of the heart of someone who believes God to be their answer to life! These truths manifest a clear representation of those who feel loved and forgiven by him. Those of us who go to church and read our Bibles to feel right about ourselves will always feel condemned. On the other hand, the person who sees God as the complete answer and has received his love and forgiveness with a childlike heart finds true freedom and victory in life.
This is the reason why some have turned away from God and church. They’ve never had a genuine encounter with the true love and forgiveness of God. The kind of Christianity they found was based on rules, and they always saw themselves failing. Church, to them, is no more than another dose of condemnation, shame and fear. This is why many go to church and wonder why it never works for them. Wow!
Hebrews 11:6 clearly explains to us that any kind of life cannot please God. Why is that? The answer is this: The greatest passion of God is you and me. His greatest longing is that we would be blessed with joy, peace, love, happiness, wholeness and real purpose. Jesus came to this earth because of God’s love for you and me. When people try to feel good about themselves through self-effort instead of through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, they forfeit the incredible life God has intended for them. Sadly, many churchgoing people live this painfully discouraging life. Though God loves us and wants to bless us more than we could ever fathom, that love and blessing can never be accessed unless we believe him. Christianity is all about tapping into the unseen! The love of God is so close to those who have a humble, childlike, believing heart but far away from those who try to feel righteous by doing the right things.
Oh, my dearest friend, may we surrender to the amazing love and forgiveness of God! Those who surrender to the grace and love of God will end up with this same heart of love and desperation we see in the Scriptures above! The blood of Jesus has paid for all your failures and mistakes, and, therefore, you have been declared righteous! Yes, as righteous as God himself! WOW!
May you let go and wholly rest in the provision for your righteousness through Jesus Christ today! Oh, yes! Being "for real” means being childlike enough to surrender to the truth of God’s love and grace and simply rest in it! I am praying for you today – it is time to let go! It is time to let go and let God...
FOR REAL
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