Revolution, Part IV

We must challenge what is deemed "normal" and become extremely aware of who we are in Christ Jesus. The revolution is fighting against the standard. To stretch beyond what we know and what seems right. To push boundaries back and stand up for the cause of Christ in a wicked world. We are to stay grounded in good works to produce fruit for God's glory and praise.

It is not enough for us to live out our lives in a comfortable place where we only talk of God. It is an understanding that our actions are a direct expression of our love and faith. We are His soldiers, His representatives, and we have been entrusted with His mission and it is our love for God and Jesus that should drive us to honor Him with our life, mind, body, heart, and soul.

We live in a time (especially now) where people are struggling and needs are all around. We must push past convenience and comfort and live for something more. It is up to us, each of us, to serve Him with great fervor and great desire. Believing in the unseen more than the seen and believing in the art and spirit of love more so than any other thing in life.

^{2 Timothy 4:1-4}

¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ²Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Revolution, Part III

The revolution is a turning away from the world and turning to God. He is Lord, King, Creator, God, and Overseer of our souls. This is the essential first step in our walk with God as Christians. We must submit to Him and make Him Lord, King, and Creator. It is a daily commitment for life. Christianity is not a label we wear... a label that the world assigns to us. Instead it is a way of life and an obligation to the one we serve. It is going to take investment of our time to develop a strong relationship with God.

This is the greatest cost of all. We must give up personal interest and many of our ambitions and desires in order to serve God. For God did not create us as individuals but He created us to be a community and brotherhood.The revolution is first understanding our place in the grand scheme of things. To look beyond our meager daily lives and know that there is more going on than just us.

We belong to an order and a species and every link in the chain must support one another. We are the body. A body of members that should work together for the good of the body and not for the good of the one. This is the nature of Christ. Today we must stand and deliver. Today we must be more about community and less about ourselves. It is up to us to make the choice and it is the hardest one we will ever make.

^{1 Corinthians 15:58}

⁵⁸Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Revolution, Part II

The revolution is a revolt against the status quo. It is against complacency and challenges us to be more than just arm chair Christians. We must honor God, not only in church but in all areas of our lives. Paul mentions several times in his writings that we must "mind" spiritual things and not earthly things. It can be difficult to remain mindful of Christ and our Father throughout our day but we must try with all sincerity to show Him that we honor Him and love Him.

We must not just be people who talk about God but also people who listen to Him and worship Him. It should be apparent to all of those who know us, that we are first Christians before anything else.

Colossians 3:1-4

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:12-17

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Revolution

In our day and time complacency is around every corner. It is an infection... a disease. It is important for us to understand ,as Gentile believers, the history and lifestyle of the Israelites. The reason is simple. God was not (to the Jews) a passing thought or just someone they considered on the Sabbath. God was life. Life was God. In Jewish customs God surrounded every facet of life. They were to acknowledge him after they ate a meal, at weddings, at funerals, before work, and on and on. They consulted him in prayer before undertaking tasks and honored him and praised him in everything they did. Of course, that was what they were supposed to do.

It wasn't long before the Jewish people (usually led astray by a sinful king) started rebelling against God and his commandments. For Christians today I feel that the Holy Spirit is trying to get us back to that all consuming love for God and His Son. To throw away complacency and ho hum Christianity. To throw away emotionless religious practices and to reach out and embrace God's ways and love with a feverish desire that the world has never seen before. A revolution is coming. Where God is honored and truly worshipped with sincerity and love. Where people will understand that giving is better than receiving. Where sacrifice is better than achievement. Where weakness is better than strength.

There is one thing God wants from us all and He tries the hearts of men to find out if we love him with all our heart or not. There is nothing that is kept from His eyes. He sees all. Though we may put on masks for the world around us; God sees through every mask and understands all our intentions. Love Him completely. Love His Son Jesus completely. There is no greater achievement in life than loving God and His ways. Revolt against the status quo and live to desire Him!

Psalm 63:1-8

1 O God, you are my God,
       earnestly I seek you;
       my soul thirsts for you,
       my body longs for you,
       in a dry and weary land
       where there is no water.

 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
       and beheld your power and your glory.

 3 Because your love is better than life,
       my lips will glorify you.

 4 I will praise you as long as I live,
       and in your name I will lift up my hands.

 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
       with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

 6 On my bed I remember you;
       I think of you through the watches of the night.

 7 Because you are my help,
       I sing in the shadow of your wings.

 8 My soul clings to you;
       your right hand upholds me.