God Is Our Father Of Lights, Not Shadows
Ξ September 5th, 2007 | → Comments Off | ∇ Christian Living, Family, Growing In The Lord, New Christians |
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A few days ago, I wrote a post called “The Temptations Of Our Lives” which gave a brief account of how we can be tempted away from things that could be more important. The problem is that we can be tempted away from the things we should be doing. For instance, each day, we should be talking to God in prayer and conversation plus doing a Bible study that would give more information and knowledge to us that we so desperately need as Christians.
Okay, so we are expected to do this but what happens? The world happens. Family happens. Jobs happen. It takes us away from the goal we have set for prayer and study. If the aim is to get up early to accomplish this, then when the alarm rings, it gets turned off so there can be more sleep. This is a learning process. If you don’t get up the first day, keep setting the alarm and you will have the determination to do it.
God tells us that we can have the desires of our hearts and then says that it’s desires that entice us away from Him. Is this confusing or what? In James 1:14-15, it says WHEN we are tempted. Well, that does it. There is no IF, just when. What does all that mean? First, let’s take a look at the scripture:
(Jas 1:14-15) But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.
This does not say that we might be tempted, it says that we WILL be tempted. Hmmm. The problem is that when we are tempted, if we allow ourselves to be drawn away from God, we get seduced by it all. A note here. The word lust does NOT necessarily mean sex. What it does mean is the desire of your heart becomes so big that you lust after it That could be a man/woman or a chocolate cake. Lust is a feeling that comes over you to want something in the extreme. It is entirely self serving, doesn’t care about other people’s wants or needs.
Did you notice that when lust is conceived, then it becomes or is born sin. After sin shows up it gets hairy because sin turns into death, either spiritual or spiritual and physical.
Sounds like we have little to no hope since we will be tempted and we die either spiritually or/and physically. ACK!! But God is with us!! He does not leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5-Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, “Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!”).
But there is more here. After James 1: 14-15, it says:
(Jas 1:16) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
In my copy (New King James) it says “Do not be deceived”. Now what does that mean? Since I was reading the whole set of scriptures, it really didn’t make sense to have that there at the time I first started to read it. Then, the light bulb lit! When the temptations come hot and heavy, if we know our Lord and we can believe in Him, then the temptations mean nothing to us. However, if we ARE tempted and stray a little bit, the Lord needs to warn us not to be deceived BY these temptations since they are actually so bad for us.
But He does love to reward us too!!! The next verse is so wonderful:
(Jas 1:17-18) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth with the Word of truth, for us to be a certain firstfruit of His creatures.
He is telling us that every single gift we receive IF it’s good, can only come from Him. IF the gift is perfect, only God could have given it. His credentials are that He is the Father of lights…there is no variation in how He thinks or acts and there is no shadow in Him to see if He turns away. It states that He did everything because He wanted to do it, not because it was expected of Him. And He wanted us to have the good and perfect gifts He gives. He is not holding back on us like it tends to appear when we do not get our own ways.
So, the question then is…how do we know if God gave it to us or it’s a nasty (but looking REALLY good) gift? The bottom line is this…is it something you simply have to have? Is it good only for you? Do you have any intentions of sharing it? Like a new car, is this what you MUST have in order for you to look good? Would you be embarrassed to be seen in something less like an old clunker? If whatever it is, is strictly for you..no one else allowed to have it, no matter what it is, it is a selfish and self centered desire. Want to rule the world, even your own personal one? Uh uh.
God is the greatest giver of all things. He is your Father Who is extremely interested in all aspects of your life, even the smallest details. And, when you are acting in line with God’s Word, you may have the desires of your heart. But do not be surprised that, as you get further into God, your heart’s desires change to match what God has for you. It truly is a blessing when that happens because God sees all of your future. You don’t. What you think would be good could, in the future, be very disastrous to you. It isn’t easy but when you give up your life for His, God is a great provider. You won’t be sorry you did it.
Now, if you have not given your life to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, please consider it today. Jesus died on the cross to save you from the sin that plagues each of us. He is waiting patiently for you to ask Him into your heart as your Lord and Master. Please consider this today. If you have done this but at some point in your life, you strayed off the path, please talk to Jesus. He is waiting with open arms. No matter what you have done, whether backslider or person who has never known the joy of Jesus, please ask Him to come into your hearts today.
For more information on this and other subjects to grow in the Lord, please visit Lura’s Bookcase.
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