A Golden Parachute

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  Matthew 7:13-14

Two men are seated in a plane. The first man is given a parachute and told to put it on because it will improve his flight. He’s a little skeptical at first; he cannot see how wearing a parachute on board a plane could possibly improve his flight.

After some time, he decides to experiment and see if the claims are true. As he straps the apparatus to his back, he notices the weight of it on his shoulders and he finds he now has difficulty sitting upright. However, he consoles himself with the flight attendant’s promise that the parachute will improve his flight, and he decides to give it a little time.

As the flight progresses, he notices that some of the other passengers are laughing at him because he is wearing a parachute inside the plane. He begins to feel somewhat humiliated. As they continue to laugh and point at him, he can stand it no longer. He sinks low in his seat, unstraps the parachute, and throws it to the floor. Disillusionment and bitterness fill his heart because as far as he is concerned, he was told an outright lie.

The second man is also given a parachute, but listen to what he is told. He is told to put it on because at any moment he may have to jump out of the plane at 35,000 feet. He gratefully puts the parachute on. He does not notice the weight of it upon his shoulders, nor is he concerned that he cannot sit upright. His mind is consumed with the thought of what would happen to him if he had to jump without the parachute.

Let’s now analyze the motive and the result of each passenger’s experience. The first man’s motive for putting on the parachute was solely to improve his flight. The result of his experience was that he was humiliated by the other passengers laughter, disillusioned, and somewhat embittered against those who told him to wear the parachute.  As far as he is concerned, it will be a long time before anyone gets one of those things on his back again.

The second man put on the parachute solely to survive the jump to come.  And because of his knowledge of what would happen to him if he jumped without it, he has a deep-rooted joy and peace in his heart, knowing that he has been saved from certain death. This knowledge gives him the ability to withstand the mockery of the other passengers. His attitude toward those who gave him the parachute is one of heartfelt gratitude. He knew that the parachute was going to save him from certain death. In the same way, as Christians we have “joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13) because we know that the righteousness of Christ is going to deliver us from the wrath to come.

Christianity’s popular appeal of the gospel basically says... “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He’ll give you love, joy, peace, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.” In other words, Jesus will improve your life [your flight]. The sinner responds, and in an experimental fashion puts on the Savior to see if the claims are true. And what does he get? Likely his life does not change. He may even experience temptation and persecution. 

He finds it difficult to live an upright life. Not only that, but other people mock him for his faith. So what does he do? He takes off the Lord Jesus Christ; he is offended for the Word’s sake; he is disillusioned and somewhat embittered—and rightly so because he feels like he was duped. He was promised love, joy, peace, fulfillment, and lasting happiness, and all he got was “more of the same” along with trials and humiliation.

His bitterness is directed toward those who gave him the so-called Good News. Because he thinks he tried Jesus and it didn’t work out, his latter end becomes worse than the first—he is now another frustrated and bitter “backslider.”

Instead of teaching and preaching  that Jesus will “improve one’s flight,” we should be warning sinners that one day they will have to jump out of the plane. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). When a sinner understands the horrific consequences of rejecting God and His free offer of salvation, he will be motivated to seek the Savior in genuine repentance, to escape the wrath that is to come.  

Escaping God’s coming wrath, is that the primary motive for a Christian?   Obviously, from a study of God’s Holy Word we learn that “escaping His wrath” is not all God wants and expects from us.  Actually, if our motive is only to secure what we might call a fire insurance policy, we will not succeed as followers of Christ.  God wants our true love and genuine devotion.  He wants us to fall in love with Him and allow Him to transform us into “new creations” in the likeness of Christ.  But that is rarely if ever the beginning of a Christians walk.  Such depth in heart and soul only comes as we grow and mature.  The FIRST motivation of a hearer of the gospel, should be to line up on one side or the other... with God or against Him.  Refinement of the heart, the mind and our spirit will come with teaching and a lifelong commitment of discipleship.   First, you make a decision to stand with God, fearing His wrath, with a clear understanding that He offers nothing more than the security of being “on His side” of the battle with His adversary Satan.  

 If we are true and faithful witnesses, that is what we are teaching and preaching — that there is wrath to come, and that God “commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30,31).

The issue for all humanity is not one of hooking up with God to enhance our happiness, but one of being declared righteous by Him.  It does not matter how happy a sinner is or how much he is enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season; without being aligned with the righteousness of Christ in all it aspects, depth and facets, we will perish on the day of wrath. The Bible says, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 11:4). Peace and joy are legitimate fruits of salvation, but it is not legitimate to use these fruits as a drawing card or replacement for God’s true and genuine plan of salvation. If we do, the sinner will respond with an impure motive, lacking genuine repentance.

Hang on to your parachute... it is your most prized possession!

FAITH and OBEDIENCE

Today, professing Christians find it very difficult to connect Faith with Obedience to the Truth of God’s Word.  Any form of teaching and preaching obedience is considered 'legalism' and a taboo subject in most churches.  Too much talk of obedience, sin, and the consequences that come from disobedience scares people away from the church.  People are convinced they can possess the 'faith' of devils (who 'believe' and tremble - James 2:19) and still inherit the Kingdom regardless of their conduct. Yet the very essence of faith is OBEDIENCE to the truth of God’s Word! (Hebrews 11:1)  

The Bible has much to say about faith and obedience. For example, James 1:22 says... "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."  Faith according to James, is of little value without living obediently to what God says. Of this kind of “faith” James says that even the demons believe! And, they shudder because of it. 

Jesus himself says...  “If you love me you will obey what I command” John 14:15.  “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me” John 14:21.  “Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him'” (John 14:23) 

Even Abraham (the Father of the Faithful, Galatians 3) is shown as one who had faith and obedience: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

There appears to be no real faith without obedience. It is interesting that the Apostle Paul sometimes even appears to use “faith” and “obedience” so closely together that they are nearly interchangeable. Paul says in Romans 1:5... Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 

James told us that 'Faith without works it dead!' (James 2:17) He went on to say that, "By WORKS faith is made perfect!" (James 2:22) But the real force in his statement of truth, says that faith apart from works is not saving faith.  It’s a matter of love.  Do you truly love God and desire to be in a right and holy relationship with Him?  If you do and you are, then works are a nature result of genuine FAITH.  Works born of a genuine love for God and a deep desire to be obedient to His purposes is the only evidence that PROVES our faith is REAL!  In other words, if you have genuine faith you will be doing and acting and serving the Kingdom of God... motivated by as love for God from the depths of your heart.  Without evidence of your love for the Lord, demonstrated in your works, you are 'believing' in vain.   

In Christianity today, there is an incorrect understanding of the true Biblical nature of “soul saving faith.”   As a result, we have over 35,000 denominations with masses of unproductive professing Christians, convinced they are 'saved' forever because they once had a moment of true faith, or think they did. They can neither explain the nature of faith, the purpose of grace, nor do they produce the fruit of righteousness.  Yet they are told by renowned bible scholars that they are saved by 'grace' and 'nothing' else is required of them in order to be saved.  What about Peter’s answer to a profound question on the the day of Pentecost... as recorded at Acts 2:38?  I’ve read over and over his answer to the crowd of people who heard him speak on that momentous day, and can not come to any other conclusion but that “baptism” is required for salvation, to gain a right standing with God and to be empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

It’s all about obedience to a requirement of God – baptism.  It’s the beginning of a walk with the Lord absorbed completely and solely in His Truth.  

The failure to make this Divine 'connection' between faith and obedience has resulted in multitudes of ruined lives and lost souls.  No one but God Himself can measure the devastation this has caused to mankind.  How many so-called Christians, who think “they’re good to go” are really lost because they 'believe' the lie – that GRACE means God no longer sees their sins and obedience is legalism?  How many marriages have been destroyed by this teaching? How many teenagers have killed themselves 'believing' they would go to heaven?  And how many preachers are in quiet bondage to sin and lust while promising others 'liberty' in Christ? (2 Peter 2:18) 

Christianity today is a 'selfish' religion, designed, morphed and parsed to fit the lifestyles of people who know little or nothing of the Truth of God’s Word.  The result?    People who call themselves Christians remain in bondage to their sin, pursuing the things of the world without the slightest concern for their own soul or the souls of others, believing themselves  to be “new creations” in Christ.  Sadly, they are destitute of true holiness and obedience from which a genuine faith grows. 

God SAVES you by His Grace [a second chance] when you repent of your sins, believe in Him and submit to baptism. The benefits are extraordinary... literally out of this world.  (Acts 2:38; Acts 20:21) But that doesn't mean you don't have to OBEY Him.  As Israel had to continue to OBEY to enter the Promised land, nothing has changed, certainly not God in His dealings and provisions for humanity.  "Diligent to enter that rest, lest you FALL after the same EXAMPLE of DISOBEDIENCE!" Hebrews 4:11.

Grace provides the POWER for you to WALK after the Spirit and not the flesh, thereby KEEPING His commands and fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law. (Titus 2:11-14, Romans 6:16, 8:1-4) That's why if you LIVE according to the flesh, as the children of Israel did, you will suffer the same fate. (Romans 8:13) 

Have you made the connection between 'faith' and 'obedience' in your life as a Christian?  When Jesus says to 'believe' on ME for everlasting life, it INCLUDES EVERYTHING He taught about remaining steadfast to the end! Matt 10:22.  

Make the connection... Faith and Obedience!  This is not hard to understand. The warnings in Scripture are given in love, to show us the way.  Nothing about this is hypothetical or for someone else.  If you do not continue to Obey Him, you also will fall into Satan's trap and end up eternally alienated from God.  

GRACE provides the Power, you provide a willing heart by which it can work. (2 Thess 1:11)   You are NOT saving yourself.  His WORD saves you... as you OBEY it! 

"And we desire that each one of YOU show the same DILIGENCE to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you DO NOT become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith & Steadfast endurance inherit the promises!" Heb 6:11-12

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward, for you have need of Steadfast Endurance, so that after you have DONE the Will of God you may receive the promise!" Heb 10:35-36

"Looking diligently lest anyone FALL short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble and by this many become defiled." Heb 12:15

NO ONE will remain saved by Grace – God’s offer of a second chance,  IF one fails to OBEY continually, precisely and exactly the WORD of God.

Saving faith is total all-in commitment.

Saving faith produces good fruit.

Saving faith is obedience.

Do YOU Really Care about GOD’S offer of GRACE?

Everyone seems to relish a second chance.  In fact, its so important to us to have a second chance that we stop, slow-down, redirect our lives to earn one in personal relationships – with our spouse, our kids, our bosses.   A second chance in our personal relationships means we hope to get another chance to live up to the expectations of someone we've let down.

So, why is that people have such a hard time living up to the expectations and standards God has given us through His Word?  How do you explain the insanity of a dying world rejecting God’s gift of everlasting life?  Tough questions indeed. 

Do you really care about GOD’s offer of Grace – a second chance?  Think about it... we insanely run at Hell as though it were Heaven, and reject Heaven as though it were Hell itself. We long for others to have that same thankfulness we have as Christ followers, but we all to often fail to recognize that unbelievers cannot comprehend God’s Grace [a second chance] until they recognize their guilt.  

God’s Grace... “our chance to build a right relationship with Him” cannot be faithfully explained to unbelievers until they begin to comprehend man’s corrupt nature.  Not until you realize we are not as “good” as we like to think we are.  It is impossible for a person to fully realize his need for God’s Grace until they see how far short they are of living up to God’s standards.  Of course it goes without saying... to even get to that mindset, a person has to care about how God views them.

In Romans 5:20, Paul explains the essential need of a benchmark, something that allows us to measure in our minds where we are, our hopeless condition and what God offers.  “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”  When sin exists, and it does in all of us, there is still a cure. Grace abounds much more and it’s that “second chance” with God that helps us see ourselves as we really are... sinful creatures that can’t resolve our hopeless situation without a more powerful ingredient... and that would be God’s Grace.  God showed His people, the nation of Israel, just how incomplete they were without Him.  His Law demonstrated the futility of man’s attempts to make himself righteous.  The Law of Moses, showed humanity that nothing really works except God’s love expressed in Grace... our second chance to seize God’s eternal promises.  

Look at sin like a wide super freeway where there are few limits and little or no enforcements. The whole world naturally goes with the flow. Who hasn’t had a lustful thought at one time or another? Who in today’s society doesn’t tell the occasional “white” lie? Who hasn’t taken something that belongs to someone else, even if it’s just a little “white collar” misappropriation? They know they are doing wrong, but their security lies in the fact that so many others are just as guilty, if not more so. It seems that God has forgotten all about sin and the Ten Commandments. The sinner “has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see’” (Psalm 10:11).  We go on our merry way speeding through life without care or concern for God or His Law.

Then, something happens.  maybe a tragic event rocks your world.  Maybe someone close to you dies or is stricken with a serious illness with little hope of recovery.  At times like this everyone suddenly remember God, and prays or thinks about a miracle to resolve the dilemma touching your life. If you care, if your serious about finding out what God wants from you, such times will bring you face to face with God’s standards.  They will be like lights flashing in your mind. 

A genuine seeking sinner’s heart will skip a beat.  You will begin to contemplate your internal life–speedometer... your conscience. Suddenly, it begins to show him the measure of your guilt in a new light—the light of what God expects, His standards. Ones sense of security, blostered by the flawed argument that there are multitudes doing the same thing becomes irrelevant, because every man will give an account of himself to God (see Romans 14:12).  Throughout our lives we are confronted by signposts, or events that grab our attention along to slow down and consider the bigger picture; our mortality; what’s the meaning of life; what happens when I die and on and on.   

You see your life path more clearly.  Sin not only becomes personal, it seems to “abound.”  You begin to quietly acknowledge that you’re a real stinker! The Law shows you that mere lust becomes adultery of the heart (see Matthew 5:27,28); your white lie becomes false witness; your “own way” becomes rebellion and a violation of the First Commandment; your hatred becomes murder in God’s sight (see 1 John 3:15); your “sticky” fingers make you a thief. “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.”Without the entrance of the Law, sin is neither personal, nor is it a threat: “For without the Law sin is dead [the sense of it is inactive and a lifeless thing]” (Romans 7:8 AMP version)  As you begin to understand the seriousness of your sins in God’s eyes, you now see the need for a Savior. In Galatians 3:24 we read... Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  God’s Law serves as a schoolmaster, or tutor, to bring us to Jesus Christ, the “second chance,”  so we can be justified through faith in His blood.

The Law of God doesn’t help us; it just leaves us helpless.  It doesn’t justify us; it just leaves us guilty before the judgment bar of a holy God.

Given the state of the Church today, its clear that the Law of God, in its capacity to bring the knowledge of sin and drive sinners to Christ, is not a popular way for sinners to respond to the gospel. Modern evangelism chose to attract sinners using the issue of “life enhancement.” The real power of the gospel has degenerated into “Jesus Christ will give you peace, joy, love, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.”  

There is no true evangelism without the doctrine of sin.  There is no true understanding of the “gospel” without an understanding of what sin is and the hopeless condition humanity is in without coming to terms with what sin means to your future and what it does to your life.

Maybe you know someone who claims to have been born-again... multiple times.  Such a person might sound and look something like this:  “I got saved when I was six, then again at twelve. I then fell away, got into some bad stuff, and came back to the Lord when I was twenty-three... and again when I was forty-one.”  

It’s very apparent that such a person is not a Christian. He or she admits to being a fornicator, liar, and blasphemer, and has no desire for the things of God, but thinks they are saved because they have been “born again.” They are using the grace of our God to cover over their selfish pursuit of the flesh.  For them, it’s not a bad thing to trample the blood of Christ underfoot (see Hebrews 10:29). Why? Because they  have never been convinced of the disease of sin, the seriousness of sin, and never saw the gospel as their cure.

When we set aside the Law of God and its designed function to convert the soul, we remove the very means by which sinners are able to see their need for God’s forgiveness.

Perhaps you are tempted to say that we should never condemn sinners by using the Law.  You might even be among those who discount adherence to the Ten Commandments, as no longer applicable to New Testament Christians.

However, Scripture tells us that humanity is already condemned: “He who does not believe is condemned already” (John 3:18). All the Law does is show us our true state. If you dust a table in your living room and think it is dust-free, try pulling back the curtains and letting in the early morning sunlight. You will more than likely see dust still sitting on the table. The sunlight didn’t create the dust; it merely exposed it. When we take the time to draw back the high and heavy curtains of the Holy of Holies and let the light of God’s Law shine upon the sinner’s heart, the Law merely shows him his true state before God. Proverbs 6:23 tells us, “The commandment is a lamp, and the law a light.”

The Law-less message that “God has a wonderful plan for your life” does not cause sinners to tremble and cry out, “I have sinned against God!”  Though they may acknowledge that, like all men, they fall short of the glory of God, it does not show them the serious nature of their personal transgression. Consequently, the depth of their sorrow is in proportion to their shallow understanding of the seriousness of their sin. They do not experience a godly sorrow that is necessary for repentance. However, when we help sinners see the depth of their sin in light of God’s perfect Law, it makes God’s grace – a second chance – truly amazing.  Again, anyone confronted with sin, the being of God, his Holiness and the consequences of indifference and rebellion towards Him, has to care about these things, or nothing to convince them to take all of this seriously will matter.  

I guess the question to consider today would be... “do you care” about the second chance that God has extended to you?  Do you care enough to dig deeper, past the slick promotion of the gospel, to its real gritty depths and see who you really are and how hopeless your situation is without God’s Grace?

Being Christian MEANS Transformation

Christianity means change, radical change. Becoming a Christian means total transformation to a completely different way of life. It means you tune out the din of this world and tune in – loud and clear – the voice of God... spoken through His Holy Word the Bible as your guide for living.  It means a whole different way of thinking, believing and acting out one’s life. 

We must recognize that people do not automatically understand all God’s ways at the outset of conversion.  All wrong ways, values and beliefs must be unlearned, and everything that is good, pure and right—all things of God—must be learned!  This “transformation” is akin to physical, psychological and spiritual rehabilitation!

Think of yourself as a containment vessel... all the impurities and contaminants [sin and sinful thinking] must be purged from the vessel [that’s you], cleaned out and neutralized.  Then new clean, good and wholesome godly things are added in place of the former impurities that controlled your life.  The very first change must be to acknowledge that the things and thinking that dominated your life before conversion might not be good for you.  Accept that God just might know a bit more than you do and trust Him to know what’s best for you.

God says, “For MY THOUGHTS are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY WAYS, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).

This scripture is profound and far-reaching in meaning. It involves everything we think, say and do, including how we view the subjects of joy, happiness and living an abundant life. It means recognizing that this is what GOD wants. This may mean sweeping from your mind all previous false concepts of what you thought Christianity was supposed to be like.  

If you are Christ’s, then your eyes are fixed on the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33). You understand that this is the biggest objective—the greatest GOAL —in your life! Never forget that everything in your life is subordinate to achieving salvation, and building character along the path to that end!

Pause and think for a moment. How many things could bring more peace and satisfaction than understanding where your life is going? The excitement, joy, thrill and enormous contentment that flow from this confident assurance will dwarf every trial, difficulty, hurdle, obstacle and problem you will ever face in your life.  That’s true abundant life in Christ!  If you truly grasp this concept, you have gone a long way toward comprehending why Christ said that His way represents a life more wonderful—more abundant—than we could ever imagine!

Serving God does not mean a loss of fun and giving up pleasures but rather understanding what real fun and real pleasures are—and enjoying them in the light of what they really are... blessings in an abundant life.

Putting God FIRST must be your passionate desire. Matthew 6:33 says... “But seek you FIRST the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things [material blessings] shall be added unto you.”  John also wrote, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may PROSPER and be in health, even as your soul [life] PROSPERS” (3 John 2).

These verses express God’s will regarding receiving physical things—enjoying prosperity—in your life. In time, if you truly put God and His kingdom first, you have His sure promise that He will add physical—material—blessings to your life. It is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). When He makes a promise, He keeps it—and He has promised YOU that “these things” will flow into your life, if you put Him first.  But... this is a tricky realm... learning to put Him first and ourselves second, not when it’s convenient, but all the time.  When “Him first” is the manner and course of our lives, genuine from the heart, then God will add physical and material blessings to our lives.  Even then, don’t expect these blessings to be what you might want or would like to have... they will be what you need to continue in faithfulness doing His will.

Malachi 3:8-10 is an example of how this principle works in the mind of God—how He views faithful obedience. When we obey Him, good things happen—and sometimes lots of good things.

Be careful that you do not expect them right away.  Also be careful that you do not obey God simply because “there is something (material) in it for you.” Many Bible verses speak of the importance of being patient and waiting for answered prayers and blessings to come according to God’s timetable and instep with His Will.  If you think of God as a genie or granter of prayerful wishes, you will be very disappointed.  A genuine true heart is essential for God to bestow blessings.  He well knows how easy it is for man to be deceived by the material things of this world and begin to desire an covet them. (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:15; Acts 20:35;1 Timothy 6:6-10)  Also, we must be sure that we are pleasing God, abhorring sin and living holy lives.  Again it is through His instructions to us, the Bible, that gives us the plan for successful thinking and living in Christ.  

Let’s read an important verse that ties obedience to confidence and answered prayer.  John wrote... Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. (I John 3:21-22). Take time to savor this verse. Internalize it and practice it—and then trust that God will respond your physical needs.

A Wonderful Way of Life, with all the vitality and abundance you can imagine, filled with pure joy and happiness, can be yours.  But you must recognize that God offers an entirely new and different way of life, nothing like what you might carve out for yourself from the patterns of this world.  It means living “by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4; Deut. 8:3). This means studying God’s Word and transforming your life pattern to conform to its every word. It means praying daily and seeking God with your whole heart—and resisting Satan and the influences of this world.

It also means periodically accepting the Bible’s correction, which can sometimes cut very deep (Heb. 4:12).  But the converted mind seeks to grow at every opportunity.  And receiving correction is also directly connected to happiness. Notice: “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17). Of course, no one naturally enjoys correction, but yielding to it produces a by-product described as the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:9-11).

So, if even correction can bring happiness, just think of the joy that will come from practicing the many other aspects of the Christian way of life.

Practicing God’s Way will lead you to be concerned for those around you. You will move away from self-interest and replace it with an interest in others. You will want to humble yourself and value the lives of others, more than your own opinions—and your own needs. You will feel good will and cheerfulness in your heart. You will want to smile, lead a life of vigor and reflect calm when standing in the eye of a storm. You will find courage to step out in full and complete faith, knowing that God is with you—that you are not alone. It means understanding that you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens [you]” (Phil. 4:13) and that “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26).

Those around you cannot help but see these things. You will become an example to them—a light (Matt. 5:14) in a world growing darker every day (John 3:19-21; 9:4). They will see that you have found meaning and purpose in a confused, disagreeable, unhappy world. And knowing that you are doing this will bring its own happiness and satisfaction to you—because it is what God intends for His faithful, all-in committed followers. Confidence will flow from this understanding, confidence in the promises and character of God.  It will no longer be about you, but about Him and how He has reset your self-confidence from worldly sources and your own strength, to His strength, His power and His Word.

You will not find yourself constantly carping, griping, moaning and complaining about life’s endless “injustices.” You will not want to speak evil of others, but will want to lift them up, rather than pull or put them down. You will be able to conquer loneliness. And this conduct will generate a never-before-realized strength, boldness and confidence that will literally DRIVE YOUR LIFE.

This may cause people to ask you for help, encouragement or advice. They will see that your life is “together,” while theirs is not.  People are drawn to strength—they are drawn to confidence. If you exude these things, radiating a power that is greater than anything they have seen, they will seek your help.  

Remember the goal of a Christian.  Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to “rejoice always” (I Thes. 5:16). This is one of only two verses in the Bible that contains two words, making it hard to forget. Yet it is a command from God to all those filled by the Holy Spirit. It is why  the ancient Psalmist approached each day by saying, “This is the day which the LORD has made; we will REJOICE and be GLAD in it” (Psa. 118:24). In the very next verse, he asked God to “send now prosperity.”

These are not vague, nebulous scriptures. They are clear, direct and plain—and vital instruction for you and me. John added, “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ...THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL” (I John 1:3-4).

The Abundant Life. Your joy can be full, beyond your wildest dreams, if you walk and fellowship with God and Christ as a constant way of life that overarches your every word and deed.  

Yes, you can live the rich, radiant, full, happy, joyful, ABUNDANT life. All you must do is be willing to leave the old way of life behind—go to the SOURCE—and begin anew!