As it turns out an upset stomach, runny nose, a snoring husband, and a daughter who has decided not to sleep creates opportunity for a much needed blog update. Armed with my Pepto (gotta admit I've always loved the taste) and my Puffs plus (best ever) I want to share with you what God has been teaching me.
My devotions have been in the book of Acts for a while. I love reading about how Christ started His church and the opposition and obstacles it overcame. How he turned an enemy into one of His greatest warriors. And how He extended His grace and mercy to the Gentile world.
One thing that has been standing out over and over as I read about Paul's journeys is as he would go into a city and preach the good news the religious leaders were the one who opposed his message the most. I understand it was a revolutionary way of thinking, but it was also prophecy fulfilled which Paul pointed out through scripture over and over again.
It really got me thinking about "religious" people versus "godly" people and how that plays out in our lives today. As we've been on this pre-field journey we've encountered many of the "religious", but I'm blessed to realize we've encountered much more of the "godly".
(Allow me to attempt to clearly define my use of the terms religious and godly in order to avoid offence. Religious: someone so steeped in the traditions of the church that they are unable to separate those traditions from scriptural mandates . Godly: someone who respects and honors the traditions of the church but discerns between tradition and scriptural mandates. Hopefully as you read on I'll make sense to you.)
Looking in Acts the "religious" people tended to hold to tradition as if it were scripture believing their tradition was godliness. They had forgotten who God was and tried to fit Him into their little box, and when God decided to break out they were appalled. When Paul preached Christ crucified and a life of faith by grace they were angered to the point of wanting to destroy him in order to destroy his message. And when he took the message to people outside their box they tried to force the new people to fit into it. When I look at the "religious" today I see people truly trying to please God, but who have lost sight of how big He really is. They are living in their little boxes, and when other Christians don't fit into their box there is strife and distention. Sometimes they become so isolated in their box that they do little good for the cause of Christ.
But then you see the "godly" people. Their eyes have been so opened to their sinfulness and God's holiness that they live freely by faith. They uphold God's word out of passionate love for their Savior, not for tradition's sake. (Disclaimer: I'm not slamming tradition. There is a place and a purpose for it, but it has to be in the right place for the right purpose.) And when God reveals Himself to them they can't help but share Him with everyone they come in contact with. They look beyond the surface issues to a deeper need. And when the opposition comes from within the box they stand strong, endure, and remain faithful to their sometimes unpopular calling that God has placed upon their lives. Continually Paul was arrested, stoned, threatened, or kicked out by the "religious" leaders of his day. But he got up, picked up his cross, and it's thrilling to see how God used him.
When we, as Believers, decide to follow Christ we aren't always going to be approved of. Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged by the rejection. But we have to look to God's word. Are we faithful to all God has written in it? Are we living with a pure heart at the feet of our Savior? Are we diligently following God every step of this journey He has called us to? Can we, with a clear conscience, say we have done all possible to live peaceably with all men? Can we stand before God unashamed? If we can answer yes to all these questions, when the opposition comes we can stand firm knowing we are right with God, and He will sustain and empower us.
God calls us into a passionate love relationship with Him. He offers us an abundant life. His yolk is easy and His burden is light. He calls us to live godly lives that lift Him up before all men. Our lives are to be a mirror of His love and saving grace to a dying world. If we are isolated inside our boxes the world dies around us. He has called us to be in the world, but not of it. My prayer is that we will all experience the joy that comes only from living freely in Christ with a heart unashamed before Him. And as we do His love and grace will pour out of our lives and into the lives of everyone we come in contact with.
I want God to build His kingdom through our family as we strive to live for Him and follow Him step by step on this amazing journey. I can't wait to experience all He is going to do in and through us as we are instruments for Him to accomplish His purposes. May we live "godly" lives and may God receive all the glory.
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