February 16, 2021 A TRACK TO RUN ON
1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 “And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”
As believers, we do not have to live aimlessly or in a state of wondering what we are suppose to be doing in life, nor spend our time trying to figure things out. There is great freedom in simply believing God’s word and embracing and acting on what it says. A foundational awareness and belief we must have is that the words of God, when received and obeyed, always lead to life. We can give thanks to God that He does not leave it up to us to find direction and purpose in life; He has delivered us from being dependent on our own logic and reasoning. The believers in the early church lived in much difficulty and endured much suffering as a result of their belief in Christ; yet, they were being instructed and encouraged to live in a way that was pleasing to the Lord and to live in a way that was counter-culture. In our day, particularly in the western world, our culture is one that promotes self-fulfillment where one is encouraged to do whatever he or she believes will bring them happiness. There is an endless number of philosophies and religions that purport to be the answer to life and the way to fulfillment-yet they all fail to deliver what is promised. The good news for us as followers of Christ is that God has revealed to us the way that leads to life to the fullest; it is awesome that God has not abandoned us to ourselves. As God works in us, our focus in life changes; we discover that being focused on ourselves actually robs us and prevents us from finding that which fulfills. Contrary to what the culture tells us, as we live to bless others and live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, we find ultimate fulfillment. Thankfully, God gives us clear direction concerning how we are to live-there is no guess work. He does not give us rules to keep in order to gain His approval, but gives us directions and instructions because He loves us and desires for us to experience life to the fullest. In the passages above, and throughout the New Testament, we find very specific and very clear instructions on how we are to conduct our life as believers. It is refreshing to have tracks to run on-to know the way we should go. More good news; God enables us to live according to His ways; He has given us the Holy Spirit to equip us and empower us to live according to His words. Let us embrace the words of God, His commands, as the way that leads to life-and act on them, obey them.
Psalm 119:10 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Matthew 7:24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is breathe out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed