At the end of each day the haunting questions come. Did I glorify God? Did the breath I used bring honor to Him? Was anything I participated in profitable to the kingdom I claim to be part of? Have I impacted others for good? Is Jesus Christ pleased that I am His child? What more could I have done? Where should I have not gone? What will be the consequences of my failing to love Him as I ought to? Have I listened to the voice of another?
All of that and more can really be a boatload of emotional garbage. It stems from the guilt ridden, performance based relationship preached from so many pulpits in our day. Well intentioned people looking at the same evidence from scripture as I see but arriving at vastly different conclusions. I do not need this mindset. I do not want this perspective. I don’t ask myself those questions.
I know that the Lord Jesus does all things well. I know he has chosen me in Him from before the foundation of the world. His choosing is not based upon anything thing good within me for I not in my flesh dwells no good thing. I know His love trumps any doubt or fear I could ever have. I love Him because He first loved me. He does all that He does for the good pleasure of His will. I don’t have to worship Him, I get to. Fear is not the spirit He has put in me. The spiritual power and presence I know is His spirit coursing through my being. Love is the only motivation to be considered. That is what gives me a sound mind and a conscience void of offense. It is what gives me the understanding that He is all good, all mighty and always working in every moment of this life for the benefit of His relationship with me.
I have heard it said on more than one occasion that the book of Hebrews is one of the most difficult books of the Bible to understand. Its writer comes from a frame of reference that is extremely taxing for a gentile to comprehend. He is the one who claims to be an Hebrew of the Hebrews, sharing intimate insight with Jewish people from a decidedly internal faith filled family of God perspective. Only someone who has that same perspective, that same mindset, that same insight is going to be able to receive with value the treasures of this book. So, I believe I am as qualified as the next believer to glean truths meant for God’s chosen people. I am qualified because of the indwelling Holy Spirit who so superintends my thought and understanding that I am able to receive from the very mouth of God Himself such peculiar treasures. I am able to receive because I am His blood bought child and He desires to reveal Himself to me.
It says Faith comes by hearing His word. I know I shall not escape the wrath of an all powerful God if I neglect the very salvation He has provided for my gain. I can surely see the express image of the father in the one who said “Have I been so long time with you and you have not known me?” He is my merciful and faithful high priest. I hear Him declaring faith alone prevents hardened hearts. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. And if it were possible for me to lose that most precious gift of salvation, I could never again hold it as it is impossible to renew oneself unto repentance. He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Not a temporary year by year sacrifice which continually extended the coverage of each until the next ceremony, but eternally. He has provided a new and better way.
From the moment of genuine salvation Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and the many sins of even one. I understand that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God if you are not rightly related with Him. For faith is the substance of things hoped for. For our God is a consuming fire. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, my maker and the keeper of my soul and I will not fear what man shall do to me.
I cannot lose what He holds on to. His grip is the strongest in the universe. Of all that the Father has given Him He has lost none. That is a pretty good track record. I can only know that He knows me and loves me and chose me when I was yet in my sins to be Holy and righteous before Him. I am gathered into His presence, covered in His love and safe in Him forever. Jesus is my God, My Lord and my King. I am His child by His mercy and grace. Nothing shall ever change that which He says is unchangeable. No guilt, no fear, no question about it!
SMHG John