Hear me when I call, O GOD of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:1-8)
We are not to claim Christ, and then act like the world, for friendship with the world is enmity against GOD. When we put on Christ, and He lives in us, we are to be like Him and reflect His glory to this lost and dying world. We are to be different, so that they will want what we have. We are to shine light into the darkness, even though they will hate the light. We are to allow the living water to freely flow so that those that are thirsty may come and drink and never thirst again. We cannot keep the love, mercy, and grace that we have received, but must share it with those around us that are in need.
GOD blesses us to be a blessing, He saves us to go and tell the Gospel, He restores us in relationship to Him to love one another and accomplish His work and will. That work is the salvation of the lost, and the growth of His Church. We cannot but speak of that which we have seen and heard, not with our eyes or ears, but with our heart and our spirit, and the Word of GOD.
If you have never had a time in your life that you surrendered to GOD on His terms and repented of your sIn, received Jesus Christ as Saviour and confessed Him as Lord, GOD says you must be born again. Jesus loves you and wants you to have a covenant relationship with Him that is real and personal. He is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to trust Him and receive a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Stop trying to live your own life, or trying to save yourself by your own righteousness, and let GOD give His righteousness, paid for on the Cross, to you today.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet