For many years Christians have begun to settle for less of God. Less church, less Bible study, less prayer time, less holiness, and less seeking God. Why is this now become the new standard within what is supposed to be the Body of Christ? Jesus Christ did not settle for less even knowing what the plan of God was for His life. He did ask that the cup could be passed from Him, yet even in the same prayer, not His will but God’s will be done in His life (Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:42; Mark 14:36). To be Christ-like or a Christian, should reflect the goal of not settling for less of God but more of Him within their lives. When Christians choose to settle for less in their lives they are allowing more room for the spiritual enemies of their Christian faith to have a foothold (Ephesians 4:27; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:11). They are saying to God and His enemies there is a vacancy for something else to have access to what is supposed to be God’s. This settling means more than what is on the surface level. A drawing back signifies that selfishness, ungodliness, and other things have more importance to that person than God (Hebrews 10:38-39; Luke 9:62; 1 John 1:6). Even within churches, there may be a settling for less truth of God being spoken, less opportunity for God to move among the people as He desires, or less of God in general and more room for carnality of culture or gratification of fleshly desires. John the Baptist declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). This is the person Jesus declared to be very important to the kingdom of God (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28). There should be more believers like John the Baptist who are willing to declare they will only settle for less of self and less of flesh and not settle for less of God or the things of God. This prepares the way for Jesus Christ to enter and make an impact not only on that person’s life but those around them who will allow Jesus to touch their lives (John 1:23). Christians, especially in these last days, must understand the importance of God is needed now more than ever. Settling for less of God sets people up for failure who are looking for the truth of God. Instead of offering more of God, they are offering gifts for attending church, coffee and doughnuts to satisfy the flesh, less truth of God to better their lives, and more culturally relevant things to cater to the carnality of people. People, and not just Christians, need the Word of God to convict them of sin by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), the power of God to move in their lives, and fellowship centered around Jesus Christ as Lord and Master for them to find the peace, joy, love, and other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) they are looking for in their lives. May more Christians, especially pastors and preachers, step up to give others more of Jesus and not settle for less of God and less in God. This mindset benefits no one. Let’s change the region by allowing God to be the center of the lives of the people not settling for less in God to only place His label upon people as a false claim for fire insurance on the day of judgment. This is the time everyone needs more of God not less. For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.
As many Christians live for God there will be interactions with people who declare they love God but do not have the actions that reflect this type of talk (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8). Throughout time and within the Bible certain people have animal-like tendencies that are not so good for true Christians to partake with when seeking to please God. Let’s take a look at these animals biblically and naturally to understand how these people work against the kingdom of God. Foxes naturally are cunning, eat small things and can only shake their prey until they die, camouflage themselves in their surroundings until they attack, vocalize with a whine, yelp, explosive call, combative call, growl, and bark, and are related to wolves. These are some of the reasons the Bible states that it is the little foxes that spoil the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15). Religious foxes have plans to use their craftiness to gain favor with people but are cowardly by doing it more in a small intimate setting because they know they cannot stand against truth in a bigger setting. When these foxes are not handled biblically they will not only rip off the fruit of a good vine to have for themselves but also ruin the growth of the branches by cutting it off from the vine (John 15:1,5). Some of the Pharisees went to Jesus and told Him that He needed to go away because Herod was determined to kill Him (Luke 13:31). Jesus responded by calling Herod a fox because he was sly, crafty, skulking and cowardly (Luke 13:32). Herod was determined to come against Jesus and the plan that God had for Him to complete. Possums are more known in the United States and Canada but there are some religious parallels with certain people that gather among religious groups. Possums are opportunistic to feed on whatever is vulnerable or available for them to partake of with little to no hassle (Jude 4,12-13). They are also solitary and nomadic animals who only thrive where they can hide, feed, live in darkness, and then leave when attention or light is directed to them (John 3:19; John 11:10; Ephesians 5:11; 1 John 1:6). When threatened they produce a foul-smelling fluid in their mouth leaving those around them with this stench if it is placed upon them (Proverbs 18:21; James 1:26). Snakes are very biblical animals yet dangerous in both the religious and natural aspects. Snakes use their mouth as their best weapon to inject venom, for those of the poisonous breeds, and kill their prey before consuming them (Matthew 12:34; James 3:10). Some snakes become dormant for a season after consuming prey. Each of these animals uses their mouths to accomplish their tasks of killing and eating. When applied in the religious aspect these people use their mouths to kill many things and people of God whether by compromising doctrine to permit sin, killing the reputation of holy people, or splitting a church (Ephesians 4:29; Psalm 141:3; Matthew 12:36-37). In every form these people much like the animals are not used to build things or have good reputations but more for their bad qualities of harm and selfishness. True Christians should expose these types of behavior with the Word of God to bring biblical repentance (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 John 1:9). May Christians have discernment and wisdom in understanding these characteristics and know how to handle these types of people. For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.
Within the last few years, anyone who has read the Bible concerning the last days can see the last days are not coming, they are here. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and other signs of the end (Matthew 24:6-8) currently occur. This leaves the serious need to think if each person is ready for Jesus to come back and gather God’s people at any moment (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:52). One parable that Jesus used to discuss this topic is the parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Jesus discusses these 10 virgins who have not been touched or perverted by the world or any person. Although all are virgins there are five wise and five foolish (Matthew 25:2). All of the virgins took their lamps meaning they had the light within their life (Matthew 25:3-4) but the wise took oil in their vessel (Matthew 25:4) while the foolish did not (Matthew 25:3). This vessel is a jar or pail used to carry extra oil for the lamp. Even though many Christians may have their lamp burning for now how many are ready to endure to the end looking for the return of Jesus at any moment? These foolish virgins were living for the moment and were not ready to stay burning throughout the time of darkness until they went in to be with the bridegroom aka Jesus Christ. Modern society and culture push the ideology to live for the now and live for yourself but this sets up those who are like the five foolish virgins for failure. When a cry or warning was made in the middle of the night (Matthew 25:6) all of the virgins arise and trim their lamps to get ready (Matthew 25:7). The five foolish realize they are running out of oil and will not make it (Matthew 25:8) so they ask to use some of the oil the five wise virgins have. The five wise have to decline the offer to make sure they are ready to go with the bridegroom when He comes (Matthew 25:9). This process cannot take place even for people today because every person must choose if they are ready for the return of Jesus Christ to gather God’s people (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 1:10; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10). When the five foolish virgins go to get more oil, the missing element of what they needed due to their lack of commitment to endure, the bridegroom comes and takes those who are ready into the marriage celebration (Matthew 25:10). The five foolish virgins return to see the five wise virgins are not present and the door is shut to the house where the bridegroom has taken the other virgins so they begin to ask to be let in but the bridegroom denies them entrance saying He does not know them (Matthew 25:11-12). God’s people must be ready for the return of Jesus Christ at any moment. Christians must live their lives according to the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), walk with God for themselves (Micah 6:8; Colossians 2:6), and make sure they are ready to endure until the end (Matthew 24:13). It does no Christian any good to have a good start and quit before the end. All Christians must run their race and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7) until either their time on earth is done or Jesus returns for God’s people. Do not water down the Christian walk because endurance will not take place (Revelation 3:16). Be ready! For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.
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AuthorCaleb Andrews Archives
September 2024
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