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RECOMMENDED READING: Psalm 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand delivers me.”
COMMENTS: David knew God promised him the throne of Israel but he was at the brink of death many times during reign of King Saul, who sought to kill him. He had all the military resources of Israel to track down David. David had a number of opportunities to kill Saul but refused, saying he had no right to kill the Lord’s anointed. But then again, Saul didn’t have the right to kill David either since David was also the Lord’s anointed. David couldn’t do anything about that other than flee Saul’s attempts. When David proved to Saul he had opportunity and refused to take it, Saul would repent of his pursuit but soon would be filled with jealousy toward David again and be overcome again with the urge to kill David.
Saul lost his favor with God because he lacked patience waiting for Samuel to do sacrifice before battle and took it upon himself to do the sacrifice. Saul knew how to do the ceremony of sacrifice. He had seen it done many times. But he knew he was not qualified or worthy to do it. The devil tempted him the same way he tempted Cain to do an unholy sacrifice and then tempted him in like manner to kill David as Cain killed Abel. God judged Saul severely as he judged Cain for his sin. If either would have repented and pleaded to God sincerely for mercy, the story may have ended differently for Cain and for Saul. But neither did. They only regretted getting caught and punished.
David did an equally evil sin in committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband. He didn’t start out intended to do so, but Cain and Saul didn’t either. David didn’t repent either until Nathan confronted him. The difference was David sincerely repented. That made the difference and God forgave him. He still faced some consequence but not to the degree he would have and still preserved his place in eternity.
We all have unfinished business with God until we accept His gift of salvation. The struggle to surrender to God’s Will doesn’t end with accepting Christ but it does start there. Not until we accept His gift do we start having a 2 way relationship with Him. Until then our relationship with Him is only one way. We lack the fellowship and 2 way conversation and love expression and trust that He desires and paid so much to provide.
Christians are a “work in progress”, not perfect but progressing toward that goal. Not sinless but forgiven. Not doing God’s Will fully but obedient to Him more today than yesterday. Salvation is not earned but accepted as a gift without cost. Then the process begins of making us and becoming more Christ-like and less satan-like. So why doesn’t God make us perfect at salvation? Why aren’t we perfect like Christ from that day forward?
Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do” God values and respects our privilege to choose. Even ore especially after accepting Christ, we still have freedom to choose wisely or foolishly. We still have ability to sin and still face temptations. Often more so since satan is threatened when we let Christ into our lives. But once we have Christ on our side and in our camp, we have so many more resources and tools available to us. We have an army of angels available to us and the Holy Spirit available to guide and council and strengthen us. To walk with and protect us each step of the way.
So that poses another question. Is it possible to live a perfect life? Has anyone other than Christ done so? We can debate the answers but my understanding and belief is both answers are no. Why? Well, first of all we have limited comprehension of what a perfect life is. Truth is God is so far (infinitely) above us as well as Christ’s example and we can’t achieve by choice what we can’t comprehend. Satan’s influence and deceptive work continues for the believer after salvation.
The other point is salvation is not the destination God designed for us but the beginning of a journey His Will guides us on. A journey to heaven and achieving then the goal of perfection without satan’s influence. A journey of building relationship with God, a journey of discovering what God is like and discovering new insights into God’s perfect attributes and perfect character.
God’s guiding Spirit and Word led us to good works, not to earn salvation or God’s favor but as a response of praise and worship and gratitude for what He has already done. Works done with joy motive by a desire to do so and a desire to bless and encourage others to discover and go on the same journey of faith too. Love is a far greater motivator than obligation, which empowers and increases greater opportunity for success in “good works” and success toward living a more perfect and Christ-like life.
All other world religions teach salvation or redemption or achieving eternal life by earning favor through good works. That is mentality human thinking comprehends while Christ’s sacrifice and plan of redemption continues to be beyond human comprehension. That difference is enough to provide Christianity is not a human invention and all other religions are.
John 14:6 tells us Christ is the only way to the Father and to heaven. Countless other verses also confirm this truth. For those who claim Christ is one way to heave n but only one of many by many different religions and world views. Is believing that Christ is the only way to heaven being closed minded or intolerant? The word “intolerant” has become a political word that has become a weapon to institute attacks against individuals or groups. For Christians to believe and state that Christ is God’s Son, divine, and the only way to heaven is not being closed minded or intolerant.
Would we be intolerant to say all roads do not lead to New York City? Truth is, a map or GPS provides the accurate standard to gage right roads from wrong roads. The Bible is such a standard to gage. For those who don’t believe that or believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word, they have freedom to deny that, but that doesn’t change the Bible being God’s inspired Word. There is ample proof it is indeed that.
So what will you believe? Will you believe God’s Word or not? Our culture is making it increasingly more difficult to be a Christian and increasingly less popular. Well, we need to prepare ourselves to face increasing sacrifice and persecution for our faith. We need to prepare our families too. The day is coming when, like first Century times, when being a devout Christian will be a death sentence and to escape that sentence will mean either be in hiding or denying Christ. So we need to rediscover history and study the stories of Christians of that era in scripture while seeking a closer relationship with Christ so we will be prepared and remain faithful when that time comes.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am trusting You alone to finish the unfinished business of my life in Christ and fulfill Your purpose for me. Amen.
If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 371 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present.
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