Categories
Uncategorized

The Perfect Life

The world is filled with billions of people with different beliefs and ways of living. It is amazing to know that every person who makes up the world’s population is unique. Even more thrilling is the truth that each person reflects a particular dimension of God.

So when we look at the population of the world, we are not just seeing numbers—we are witnessing the expression of God in billions of ways. Truly, God is awesome!

Despite this amazing fact, it is saddening to observe that many people do not yield to God’s desire to express Himself through their lives. God will not force His way into an unwilling heart, for He has sworn not to strive with man. Imagine what the world would look like if the majority of people responded to God’s gentle nudging within them; It would be such a haven.

The catastrophic and melancholic state of the world today is a direct aftermath of humanity’s refusal to allow God’s manifestation in their lives. But why is this so? Why would the creature refuse to express the attributes of its Creator?Why would man reject such a golden opportunity?

While these questions abound, it becomes clearer from observation that humans have found other ways to feel “comfortable” without God.These days, many people live as though their Creator does not exist. Some acknowledge Him in words, but their actions say otherwise. They strive for a world-defined perfection by finding ways to hold body and soul together while placing God on the side track.

Many have chosen to live by the principles of their heroes and heroines (or even by their own principles) while relegating the principles of God to the background. In their opinions, their lives are “perfect” without God. Once they gain money, comfort, intelligence, social recognition and more, they ask: What business do they have with God? After all, they have everything their hearts could ever crave for. What could God possibly give them that they do not possess? Some even think, If there is anything else, God can keep it to himself or give it to those who need it.

This attitude is truly pitiful, for at the very moment a person believes they are complete or perfect without God, a great tragedy has already struck such.

The Bible warns in Revelation 3:17(KJV): “Because thou sayest, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing’; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

What? Wretched?—I thought you had it all.

Wait a minute? Miserable?—I thought you were happy and free.

Poor? Please. remind me again of your net worth or account balance! That should be a mistake, right?

Blind? But your eyes sparkle and you have got eagle’s sight; how could you be blind?

Naked?—Unbelievable! Your wardrobes are bursting with excessive and expensive clothes!

How solemn are these paradoxical evaluations of God concerning the lives of many! Most people think they are tr living their lives, yet before God they are but wandering souls(living dead) awaiting transition into a painful eternity.

God’s evaluation of our lives is final. Whatever we think of ourselves is nothing compared to His view. To allow God’s expression in our lives, we must turn away from a life built on worldly standards and embrace a life built on God’s standards. We cannot achieve such a life in our own strength; we must ask Him for help.

There is no perfect life outside the one God gives through Jesus Christ. Anything apart from that is a mirage.

I close with this admonition from Revelation 3:18, 20:“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Salvation is Gold, righteousness is a beautiful garment, Purity is sight; As people who desire God’s expression in our lives, we must not lack in these provisions God has made available. Earthly riches will not suffice to qualify us before God. We must also be rich towards God.

No matter how far you have wandered from God, there is still hope, for we are still in the period of grace. The blood of Jesus remains effective to cleanse every sin. If you will open the door of your heart to Jesus (or open it again if you have turned away), He will come in and give you the experience of a perfect life worth living. A life through which God can freely manifest himself to the world is a perfect life.

Categories
Obedience

DOING GOD’S JOB

photo credits : Pinterest.

John 21:3 (KJV) — “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.”

It had not been long since Jesus left His disciples when Peter decided to return to fishing. This made me wonder: throughout their time with the Master, they never thought of fishing. The only time Peter did fish was when Christ instructed him to obtain their tax dues from the mouth of a fish (Matthew 17:27). While Jesus was with them, they never worried about their daily needs, because the Provider was present. He made their welfare His responsibility and never failed at it.

However, after Christ’s death and resurrection, when He was no longer with them physically, Peter thought it was time to fend for himself. But his attempt proved fruitless — he was frustrated because he tried to take over God’s job.

When we try to do God’s job, our actions portray Him as unfaithful

As a disciple, his welfare was no longer his burden; it had become the Lord’s responsibility. Instead of holding firmly to the duty Christ left them — preaching the gospel — Peter attempted to do what only God could do.

Like him, many today abandon their calling to chase after the “important issues of life,” only to end up laboring fruitlessly. When we try to do God’s job, our actions portray Him as unfaithful. We may claim to trust Him but live as if our efforts and hard-earned money can sustain us better than He can. Scripture reminds us otherwise: “The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish” (Proverbs 10:3).

God’s job is our overall well-being, while our job is total obedience to His will. He has commanded us not to be anxious about tomorrow, but to trust Him as we carry out the duties He has assigned us. In doing His will, we fulfill divine purpose; in trying to secure our lives on our own, we only waste our time and strength.

All the while, Peter and the others had been casting their nets on the wrong side of the boat. Likewise, nothing good can come from exerting our efforts in the wrong pursuits

God loves us so much that He often shows up in the midst of our fruitless toil, just as He did for Peter. With one directive, Christ filled their nets with more fish than they could carry (John 21:6). All the while, Peter and the others had been casting their nets on the wrong side of the boat. Likewise, nothing good can come from exerting our efforts in the wrong pursuits. Only God knows the “right side” of life for us. Yet, we keep struggling to do what belongs to Him, exhausting ourselves over matters He has already provided for. In the process, we exchange the weightier matters — like winning souls — for trivial pursuits.

The irony is that while we try to do God’s job, we simultaneously expect Him to do ours. We ask Him to complete assignments He has already entrusted to us, while we waste time attempting to handle what only He can manage.

This path leads only to frustration and confusion. If you feel burdened and restless, perhaps you have taken on responsibilities that belong to God. It is time to return to the proper order — doing his will by strengthening your spirit, soul, and body in fellowship with Him.

Quit striving to make your own way; like Peter, you will only keep catching nothing. Instead, focus on your walk with Him, be diligent in the work He has given you, and watch Him do His job perfectly in your life.

God bless you.