"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High."
Psalm 46:1-4
Whatever it is, either spiritual or physical, of any temporary struggle, infirmity, or affliction, we can be assured in this: That God, the omnipotent and omnipresent Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hath effectually wrought in us His perfect spirit of grace, whereby we are called to be the sons of God, and wherefore having the spirit of adoption, we cry "Abba, father" - (Romans 8:14-15).
The question now, as pertaining to my blog, is how this assurance of peace with the Father has any relevance to living a Christian life in the modern world. We are told by the world to rely on ourselves; to find refuge in our knowledge and understanding, and to look to those who profess to be wise to give us the answers to life.
Howbeit, we still find ourselves in an earnest desire to know truth and to be loved withal. This earnestness of our flesh is a continual and perpetual struggle, in that, whatever we may know about science, ourselves, and those around us, there will always be that fervency of desiring divine knowledge, love, and truth. If this earnestness did not exist, then there simply wouldn't be religion - which is today a broadened term defined amongst many circles of monotheists, pagans, and even some evolutionists.
Yea, religion today is a very broadened thing, a universal acceptance of a deity of any kind, sort, or spirit. We may indeed expect there to be a clash within ourselves, a question of 'which religion is right, then?' Aye, but there is only one religion, that of Christ, which alone is reliant upon the works of a Saviour, a King, a Sovereign. This Christ, even the Lord Jesus Christ, did so effectually atone for our sins, in that whatever pretenses we may have about our spiritual state or condition, it is alone the grace of God whereby we are saved. Other religions rely on personal achievements and works to earn salvation.
That being said, - that salvation is not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9) - if one is truly a born again Christian, he or she must find their comfort and strength in the Gospel. Our faith is a two-edged sword that cuts through all evil (Hebrews 4:12). There are, however, many out there who profess to be Christians, but will live for the world, and will strive to gain comforts and conformity in the world. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36. Do not let your faith be gone with the wind due to afflictions, cares of this world, and other lusts; for, a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). But rather, let your mind, body, and soul be in submission to Christ Jesus, and be in daily meditation upon His word. Scripture is your spiritual food, if you are to deprive yourself from your food, how do you expect yourself to grow?
Yea, religion today is a very broadened thing, a universal acceptance of a deity of any kind, sort, or spirit. We may indeed expect there to be a clash within ourselves, a question of 'which religion is right, then?' Aye, but there is only one religion, that of Christ, which alone is reliant upon the works of a Saviour, a King, a Sovereign. This Christ, even the Lord Jesus Christ, did so effectually atone for our sins, in that whatever pretenses we may have about our spiritual state or condition, it is alone the grace of God whereby we are saved. Other religions rely on personal achievements and works to earn salvation.
That being said, - that salvation is not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9) - if one is truly a born again Christian, he or she must find their comfort and strength in the Gospel. Our faith is a two-edged sword that cuts through all evil (Hebrews 4:12). There are, however, many out there who profess to be Christians, but will live for the world, and will strive to gain comforts and conformity in the world. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36. Do not let your faith be gone with the wind due to afflictions, cares of this world, and other lusts; for, a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). But rather, let your mind, body, and soul be in submission to Christ Jesus, and be in daily meditation upon His word. Scripture is your spiritual food, if you are to deprive yourself from your food, how do you expect yourself to grow?
As many look to the world for comfort, still many people of religious conviction will look to images, music, and other man-made helps to find refuge. This is indeed the deception of the Catholic Church, who look to images, pictures, and statues to help them in their worship. We are not to look to these things for help - but rather, we are to look solely upon the inspired word of God by which we are given in Scriptures. Scripture alone, as well as our faith, fervent prayer, and supplication, are the only means by which a Christian may endure in his faith and grow therein.
Find therefore, in this modern world, your refuge in the Gospel, and not in the works of the world or of man. For indeed, our God is there when we need Him, and by faith alone and by Scripture alone we may behold Christ's glory. Just ponder on how magnificent it is for us that we have the Gospels, which do so effectually proclaim His glory and works to us! This alone should uplift the Christian to glorify God!
Benjamin, how do I get in touch with you? I'd like to invite you to my Christian podcast, Confronting the Devil. My name is Kevin Collier. You can find the podcast page online at confrontingthedevil.blogspot.com and my email is confrontingthedevil@mail.com Very impressed with your love of the Gospel, would be blessed to have you on the program!
ReplyDelete